Europe’s commercial channels have called for a review of the rules on the provision of state aid to public service broadcasters. It follows a meeting between members of the Association of Commercial Television in Europe and European Commission officials ahead of a review of the 2001 Broadcasting Communication.
“Looking at the often emotional discussions being held about the future of the digital media and the role of commercial and public broadcasting in this, we want to make one thing clear: It is not our intention to keep public broadcasters out of digital and online media. The question at stake is only the appropriate extent of, and regulatory framework for, the participation of the publicly-financed sector in the new media,” said ACT director-general Ross Biggam.
The ACT welcomed suggestions by Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes about the limits for state aid and the consolidation of existing case law. The organisation pointed to outstanding cases in a number of countries including Poland, Ireland, Austria, Greece, France and Denmark, saying the definition of public service broadcasting remained vague.
