Information society, eContent: European digital content, linguistic diversity. 2001-2004 programme

The committee adopted the report by Neena GILL (PES, UK) amending the proposal under the consultation procedure. The committee wanted the programme to be reduced from 5 to 4 years, the budget to be increased to EUR 170m and the balance between the financial instruments within the programme to be changed. For example, it felt that more funding should be earmarked for improving linguistic and cultural customisation (i.e. tailoring products to different countries and cultures), while funding for stimulating the exploitation of public sector information should be reduced, on the grounds that this should be left more to market forces. It underlined the importance of safeguarding cultural diversity, protecting personal data, the need for the Commission to improve payments procedures and the importance of observing the subsidiarity principle. It also wanted Parliament to be included in the high level group which would evaluate the achievements of the programme, and called on the Commission to present more frequent evaluation reports for such a rapidly-evolving sector.�