European Culture ministers meet in Berlin
European Culture and Audiovisual ministers, who met informally during the Berlinale, have agreed on a range of proposals made by German Minister of Culture Bernd Neumann in order to strengthen Europe’s strategy in cultural industries. "Cultural industries employ higher numbers than the automobile industry at present and are growing twice as quickly than the rest of the economy," he said.
European Commissioner Jan Figel has confirmed that the Commission will present a communication on culture and its contribution to the Lisbon Strategy within the next few weeks.
The modernisation of the Television Without Borders directive was the second subject on the ministerial agenda. They discussed ironing out divergences that have appeared between countries concerning product placement, jurisdictional competence and the country of origin principle.
The ministers have agreed that product placement should be banned except in specific cases and according to clearly defined rules, in particular concerning the identification of messages. The principle of country of origin must, however, remain the cornerstone of the text. Cross-border problems could be solved by the adoption of a new consultative procedure proposed to the Council. Ministers do not think, however, that it will be necessary to establish new rules for media literacy, which are currently covered by the Council Recommendation on the Protection of Minors and Human Dignity.
According to Minister Neumann, the progress made in Berlin has opened the way for a finalisation of the “Audiovisual Without Frontiers” directive under the German Presidency in May.
(Translated from French)
Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.
