Television without frontiers: implementation of Directive 89/552/EEC. 3rd report

By means of this communication the Commission is submitting to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee the third report on the application of Directive 89/552/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/36/EC, "Television without Frontiers". Article 26 of the Directive provides that, not later than 31 December 2000, and every two years thereafter, the Commission must submit to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic Social Committee a report on the application of the Directive as amended and, where appropriate, make further proposals to adapt it to developments in the field of television broadcasting, in particular in light of recent technological developments. The report deals with application of the Directive since it was amended in July 1997 up until the end of 2000. The report describes and analyses the salient facts relating to application of the Directive during the reference period. These cover, in particular, coordination between the national authorities and the Commission, protection of minors, application of Article 3a on events of major importance for society, application of the rules on advertising, the stage reached in transposing the Directive and an analysis of audiovisual legislation in the applicant countries wishing to join the European Union. Since this report covers what is basically a period of transition, given that a review of the Directive's provisions is scheduled for the end of 2002, it makes no new proposals for amending the Directive. In the interim period the Commission will continue, in a transparent manner, to hold consultations, especially on how technological developments might affect various fields covered by the Directive. As part of this drive, public meetings will be organised, which will be attended inter alia by representatives of Europe's audiovisual industry. The results of the studies and meetings will provide important feedback for the communication reviewing the Directive which the Commission intends to submit to the Council and Parliament. Moreover, in the conclusion of this report, the Commission states that the Directive continues to function effetively as a means of ensuring the freedom to provide television services in the Community. The next report on the application of the Directive is due by 31 December 2002. �