Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-09-06-Speech-2-075"

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"Mr President, although we are obviously looking forward to the proposal that we hope the Commission will table by the end of the year, the issue papers that the offices of the Commission have prepared in the run-up to the conference on audiovisual policy in Liverpool at the end of this month have not been exactly confidence-inspiring. First of all, I realise that a new directive should naturally not stand in the way of the development of a European audiovisual industry, but that should surely not mean that no measures can be taken against the high concentration of broadcasters, whether they be horizontal, vertical, cross-border or otherwise. Parliament has repeatedly asked the Commission to table proposals on this subject. As everyone knows, that is crucial if we want to retain pluralism in the media. I think that the Commission is a little too ready to acquit itself of this task, the excuse being that this falls within the remit of the Member States, in other words that it will not make any proposals, and that I regard as unacceptable. The idea of a European observatory, the function of which would be to observe the market and collect data has also been mooted. Excuse me, but that is really not good enough. It is a mere palliative and totally unnecessary if not backed up by enforceable measures. Secondly, I should like to comment on the position of the national channels. A study commissioned by Parliament actually states, in black and white, that the independence of the national channels cannot be guaranteed with any certainty in many Member States. The Commission labours under the assumption that policy of national channels is in the hands of the Member States. While that is true, I do wonder if we – that is the Commission and Parliament – should not consider routes and measures we should take in those cases where the national governments have turned national channels into virtual branch organisations of government policy. Let me conclude by saying that the minimalist starting position that is now before us will lead us straight into American-style situations. I assume that here in this Chamber, which is now starting to fill up nicely, there are few Members for whom this prospect is an enticing one. Time is pressing, Commissioner; it is time for action."@en1

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