Public Service Broadcasting and the European Union Nico van Eijk Institute for Information Law (IViR, University of Amsterdam) ‘The Future of Public Service Media in the Information Age’ Jerusalem, 2 January 2006
2 Topics Liberalisation of the broadcasting market State Aid
3 Liberalisation of the market Pressure to open up markets ‘Television without Frontiers’-directive aiming at harmonising: –Access to other markets –Advertising –Sponsoring –Etc…
4 Effects of liberalisation New commercial entrants (national and foreign) ‘Commercialisation’ of public service broadcasting Minimum standards become maximum standards Dilution of the public service remit
5 The EU Routine Altmark Criteria –Clear public service obligations –Pre-established parameters for compensation –No over-compensation –Tender or ‘well-run undertaking’-test Communication European Commission on state aid and public service broadcasting Services of general economic interest Maastricht treaty
6 Issues at stake Public funding system Public service remit Separation of accounts/financing Over compensation/proportionality Competitive behaviour
7 Public service remit in the information age Focus today on commercial issues and state aid Paradigm shift needed Finding the ‘ten commandments’ of public service broadcasting
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9 Prof. dr. N.A.N.M. van Eijk Institute for Information Law (IViR) University of Amsterdam