Multiannual action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet: extension to 2004

The committee adopted the report by William NEWTON DUNN (ELDR, UK) amending the proposal under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure. As the original action plan had ended in December 2002, the committee adopted compromise amendments agreed with the Council working group so as to speed up the new plan. The amendments placed particular emphasis on protecting children and minors, including changing the title of the Decision to reflect this, and on closer cooperation with the accession countries. One amendment also specified that cooperation with third countries where illegal content is hosted or produced should be enhanced. MEPs also wanted measures to be taken to increase public awareness of the hotlines and to provide practical assistance to candidate countries wishing to set up hotlines. Moreover, further support should be given to encourage quality-site labels. Lastly, the committee added that the second phase should promote take-up of self-rating by content providers and inform users about European filtering software and services. �