EBU applauds european parliament s bold call to safeguard europes audiovisual sector

NOTE TO EDITORS On Monday 21 May, the European Broadcasting Union made a call for the complete exclusion of the audiovisual sector from transatlantic trade negotiations. The European Parliament has given a strong political signal to the EU Member States and the European Commission, but the final decision on the scope of the European Commission's negotiating mandate will be taken by the EU Member States on 14 June.

For further information, please contact:

MICHELLE ROVERELLI

Head of Communications

T +41 (0)22 717 2204

M +41 (0)79 647 1724

E roverelli@ebu.ch

NICOLA FRANK

Head of Public Affairs

T +41 (0)22 717 3111

E frank@ebu.ch

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Geneva, 23 May 2013 Commenting on today's request by the EU Parliament to exclude the audiovisual sector from the EU's transatlantic trade mandate, Ingrid Deltenre, Director General of the European Broadcasting Union, said:

The European Parliament has made a bold call to maintain a strong and diverse audiovisual sector in Europe, I am delighted with today's vote. It demonstrates that the institution representing the interests of Europeans is committed to supporting and preserving Europes multi-cultural identity.

In a Resolution adopted today, the European Parliament said it considers it essential for the EU and its Member States to maintain the possibility of preserving and developing their cultural and audiovisual policies, and to do so in the context of their existing laws, standards and agreements; calls, therefore, for the exclusion of cultural and audiovisual services, including those provided online, to be clearly stated in the negotiating mandate.

The resolution, which was adopted by a large majority, is in line with a position expressed by the European Broadcasting Union on Monday, 21 May 2013.

Referring to the fact that the EU Member States will have the final say on the matter in mid-June, Ms Deltenre added: we still need guarantees however from the Council, that the audiovisual sector will be excluded from the EU's transatlantic trade mandate .

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN BROADCASTING UNION (EBU) The EBU is the worlds foremost alliance of public service media organizations, with Members in 56 countries in Europe and beyond.

The EBUs mission is to defend the interests of public service media and to promote their indispensable contribution to modern society. It is the point of reference for industry knowledge and expertise.

The EBU operates EUROVISION and EURORADIO.

EUROVISION is the media industrys premier distributor and producer of top quality live sport and news, as well as entertainment, culture and music content.

EURORADIO enhances public service radio through the exchange of music, professional networking and the promotion of digital and hybrid radio to ensure radio remains a key protagonist in a multimedia world.

The EUROVISION/EURORADIO satellite and fibre network is the largest and most reliable in the world directly plugged in to public service media everywhere.

web: www.ebu.ch - twitter: @EBU_Eurovision @Euroradio_EBU

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LINK:	http://www3.ebu.ch/cms/en/sites/ebu/contents/news/2013/05/ebu-applauds...
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