On 15 October 2007, the Council of Ministers for General Affairs and External Relations adopted a common position on the draft directive on audiovisual services put forward by the European Commission (EC). This directive constitutes a revision of the current Television without Frontiers Directive (Directive 89/552/EEC of the Council of 3 October 1989). The common position will be sent to the European parliament for a second reading, with approval expected without amendment at a vote that may be held on 28 November 2007.
The draft directive of the EC, presented on 13 December 2005, has the intention of adapting the current regulatory frameworks to the consequences of using new technologies for transmitting audiovisual services, especially with regard to non-linear media services (on-demand services). The common position that has now been adopted follows the approach proposed by the Commission but introduces significant changes both in structural terms (new organisation of obligations to be applied to audiovisual service providers) and in substantive terms (including country of origin principle but with a mechanism for transmissions that encompass other states, the importance of co/auto-regulation, product placement ban with only clearly defined exceptions and the development of codes of conduct for the protection of minors).
Further information:
- Posição comum do Conselho http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/07/st10/st10076.en07.pdf
- Comunicado de Imprensa do Conselho http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/misc/96510.pdf
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- Proposed ''Audiovisual without Frontiers'' Directive https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=466450
- Digital television https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=2963
