The DCMS promotes UK interests in broadcasting discussions and initiatives in the European Union, the Council of Europe and other international fora.

 

We are responsible for ensuring the UK implementation of The Television Without Frontiers Directive whose main purpose is to ensure the free flow of television programmes and broadcasting services throughout the European Union.

 

It does this by ensuring the free reception of broadcast services authorised in Member States, which must maintain minimum standards on advertising, teleshopping and sponsorship.

 

The protection of the mental, moral and physical development of minors is largely a matter for Member States, reflecting individual cultural values.

 

The TVWF Directive is in the process of being revised and the European Commission undertook a public consultation in July 2003.  The UK  Government submitted a formal response to the Commission Consultation (PDF 60kb) in July 2003.   The Commission published a Communication on The Future of European Regulatory Audiovisual Policy (PDF 289k) in December 2003. This included a timetable  for the revision of the Directive. The Commission's proposals for revision of the Directive are expected in early 2006.

 

The Transfrontier-Television Convention extends the provisions of the Television Without Frontiers Directive to the Member States of the Council of Europe.

 

The UK is active in its standing committee and in other work in the mass media field in the Council of Europe which is geared toward encouraging the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe to align their media laws and administrative systems with the provisions of the Convention.