International broadcasting
The DCMS promotes UK interests in broadcasting discussions and initiatives in the European Union, the Council of Europe and other international fora.
European Union
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. DCMS and the European Commission, jointly hosted a major European Audiovisual conference under the UK Presidency to facilitate expert discussion on the revision of the TVWF Directive. The main focus of the conference was the European Commission's six issue papers published on 11 July 2005. The UK Government's formal response to the Commission's issue papers was submitted on 8 November 2005.
The European Commission published its proposals for an amending Directive on 13 December 2005. The proposal will now be considered by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament under the EU co-decision process.
Council of Europe
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.
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