Welcome to the June edition of the EURO INFO newsletter! 

In this edition, we look at the EBU’s participation in a Commission-led forum to fight disinformation, as well as the Bulgarian efforts to secure a Council position on ePrivacy and a potential deal-breaker in the stalled SatCab negotiations. We also examine the failed Council approach to the copyright directive and highlight a number of EU funding updates. The newsletter concludes with a focus on EBU Director General Noel Curran’s meeting with Commissioner Gabriel and his speech at the Digital4Her Conference in Brussels.

EBU Participates in multi-stakeholder forum on tackling disinformation

The Commission has invited the EBU and its Head of European Affairs, Nicola Frank, to participate in the multi-stakeholder forum established to develop an EU-wide Code of Practice to tackle disinformation. The self-regulatory Code will apply to online platforms and advertisers and will aim to build on the 10 key principles set out by the High Level Expert Group on Disinformation. An opinion on the Code will be adopted by media, civil society, fact-checkers and academics.

Between November and December, the Commission will then assess progress in the Code’s implementation and subsequently decide whether any improvements or adjustments to the Code are necessary. Should the results prove unsatisfactory, the Commission may consider further actions, including regulatory initiatives. A Communication formally announcing the Commission’s assessment is expected in Jan/Feb 2019.

Read more on the EBU website

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EU Policy updates

Council and Parliament gear up for discussions on Platform-to-Business regulation. The Commission proposal looks to deal with harmful trading practices and unfair contractual clauses by online platforms to the detriment of business users.

Review of AVMS Directive finalised. The EBU welcomes the deal as it maintains key provision to secure access to impartial news, information and major events, as well as to ensure pluralism, diversity and inclusion.

Innovation & research

Commission proposes budget increase for the cultural and creative sectors. The proposed increase is from €1.4 to €1.8 billion alongside some €1.081 billion going towards funding European audiovisual projects and improving the sectors competitiveness.