A number of heads of broadcasting and network infrastructure companies, as well as representatives of employee unions and professional organizations, are calling on European political leaders to define an ambitious strategy for the cultural and creative sectors. The European audiovisual and radio model is a major asset for European digital competitiveness, cultural diversity and media pluralism. Audiovisual frequency allocation policy is one of the cornerstones of content production and distribution. Free-to-air television and radio broadcasting gives the public broad access to programs, and encourages innovation in broadcasting and infrastructure, the creation of local projects and jobs, and diversity of content.
BRUSSELS, January 28, 2015
Meeting today in the European Parliament1, the heads ofAER, APWPT, BNE, EBU, EFJ and UNI MEI2 called for a strategy for the cultural and creative sectors based on growth, innovation and employment.
They urge European leaders to adopt a clear vision and commitments in this area. In so doing, they remind politicians that this sector is one of the most important in terms of sales and employment, and is Europe's main competitive asset on the global digital stage.
The delegation called on political leaders to take advantage of the specific characteristics of the sector, which is both a vector of growth and an essential element in the construction of Europe, in particular by implementing policies aimed at the following objectives:
- Consideration of economic, investment and financing models, to ensure a sustainable level of corporate participation and investment in production, infrastructure and innovation;
- Reaffirming the importance of local and national projects to support employment, diversity and plurality;
- Safeguarding the right of access to strategic resources such as frequencies for services that sustain Europe's cultural and creative sectors.
On the question of frequencies, the delegation, sensitive to the relevance of the Lamy report, recommends a global political approach that takes into account the essential role of free-to-air broadcasting, PMSE3 and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT, the signal being received by a television antenna), and respects Europe's ability to continue producing content of exceptional quality. DTT and radio remain the preferred means of accessing programs for European citizens, and in so doing, they promote and finance cultural diversity and media plurality, which are particularly important in Europe.
For all these reasons, the delegation calls on European decision-makers to do their utmost, in 2015, to :
- Position the cultural and creative sectors at the heart of the objectives of Europe's Digital Single Market strategy;
- Encourage new investments and support existing ones to improve visibility for employers, employees and the general public, and to pursue innovation, because a strong democracy relies on the plurality and diversity of quality content;
- In the case of strategic resources such as frequencies, rule on the basis of an in-depth study of the impact of a given decision on growth and jobs in the cultural and creative sector, in particular to agree on a common position with a view to the Radio Spectrum Policy (RSPP) negotiations at European level and the WRC/WRC at world level.
Michal Boni, Member of the European Parliament and organizer of "The Wider Spectrum" event declares thatIt's important to provide faster and better Internet access in Europe. Frequency allocation is a key element in this process. However, we also need to look at how we can allocate frequencies for the future and in the interests of Europe's citizens, and how we can encourage investment in more efficient, less frequency-intensive technologies. New technologies are the solution that will enable wireless and wireline access to coexist in the 700 MHz band. So we need to take a step back and consider all the parameters when it comes to frequency allocation in Europe. As Europe's political leaders, our approach must take into account all the dynamic aspects of the issue, as part of a strong shared vision and commitment. I am convinced that it is possible to reach a compromise on a set of measures that will benefit all stakeholders.
Olivier Huart, CEO of TDF and Chairman of Broadcast Networks Europe, explains that "We are convinced that there is strength in numbers, and as such we are working with some of the most important organizations in the European creative sector. We urge Europe's political leaders to preserve and consolidate the European audiovisual model. In this respect, decisions on the allocation of frequencies between the audiovisual and telecommunications sectors have a strong impact on content creation and distribution capacities, media plurality and the economic dynamics of a sector that provides 14 million jobs and generates €860 billion in sales in Europe".
Johannes Studinger, President of UNI-MEI, the media and entertainment branch of the UNI Global Union trade union federation, points out that "UNI-MEI represents tens of thousands of professionals working in the media and entertainment sector. Growth, content diversity and employment depend on the viability of the audiovisual ecosystem. DTT is one of the cornerstones of sustainable growth and diversity. It offers a platform and an environment that encourage investment by companies and our members in local productions, a source of quality content and jobs. The regulation of radio frequencies can weaken or strengthen the balance of this ecosystem. This is not a technical issue, but an economic and even cultural one. It's time for the European Union to adopt a real strategy for this sector, one that we've been hoping and praying for: a strategy aimed at creating a single digital market that is sustainable, diversified, fair and inclusive. DTT must be an integral part of this strategy.
Ingrid Deltenre, Director General of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union), comments that "We need innovative and courageous initiatives. We need a specific policy for the audiovisual sector to encourage innovation, investment in content and the democratization of digital services in Europe. To achieve this, we need to recognize the realities of the sector. DTT is the preferred means of access to public television, and one of the cornerstones of the European audiovisual model. The Lamy report rightly demonstrates that we need both digital television and broadband to meet the diversity of public demand. It is inconceivable that our need for UHF frequencies will diminish markedly, even in the long term, and this is all the more the case with the arrival of the UHD standard.
Gina Nieri, member of Mediaset's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, insists that "the audiovisual sector is at the heart of the cultural and media sectors. It needs a proactive sectoral policy to maintain its competitiveness. In Italy, television alone accounts for 1% of GDP, directly employs 50,000 people and employs 12,000 subcontractors and SMEs. Linear television plays an essential role in the production and distribution of audiovisual content. DTT guarantees EU citizens free access to a universal, high-quality service, and plays a central role in promoting cultural diversity in the European audiovisual sector. The European Parliament must call on the European Council and the Member States to immediately implement the recommendations of the Lamy Report, which should form the European Union's common position at the forthcoming WRC15 conference in Geneva".