16/11/2006

Last Monday, the Culture Committee approved the new draft of the Television Without Frontiers Directive (DTWF - see dossier), while also adopting some important amendments. The draft aims to update the existing rules in keeping with new developments in audiovisual technology and advertising, particularly the ongoing transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. This may be seen as a new step towards the closing of the dossier under the German presidency in the first half of 2007.

The meeting was not without controversy, with some parts of the text submitted by the German Presidency being criticised by the UK and France. Despite a lack of unanimity, an agreement was reached to close the draft, which, according to French Minister of Culture Renaud Donnedieu, is a "relatively well-balanced compromise."

When it comes to the controversial issue of product placement, the majority of MEPs backed a compromise amendment, which would see product placement prohibited except in a limited range of programmes. Thus, product placement would be banned in "news and current affairs programmes for children, documentaries and advisory programmes."

An agreement has also been reached on the number of advertising breaks: a break may take place every 45 minutes in films, concerts or operas and not – as the Commission had proposed – every 35 minutes.

The report, adopted by a 26 votes for and one against with no abstentions, is scheduled for a plenary vote during the Parliament's December session in Strasbourg.

(Translated from Spanish)