Jean-Paul Philippot: Regulation, a mechanism for stabilizing the European audiovisual sector and free movement of works

Attending the Forum de la Porte de Chaillot on the future of Culture and Europe, 4 & 5 April 2014, Jean-Paul Philippot, EBU President, argued in favour of the regulatory framework for European audiovisual media as it supports creation, pluralism, production and the free movement of works within Europe.

"Relations between the media, society at large and the citizens have always been regulated," stated Jean-Paul Philippot. "Whether in Europe or the USA, governments have always tried to introduce a means to stabilize the market for creators, to support them; for the various media players to ensure pluralism; and for the citizens, to protect them."

Invited to talk about the arrival of Netflix on French screens, Jean-Paul Philippot highlighted the fact that the American blockbuster would not be subject to French regulations: "Netflix is doing its utmost to avoid a model that places everyone within a triangle where the creators, operators and citizens are protected by a contract that guarantees that the weakest players receive fair compensation."

Mr Philippot said he believed that the European Commission should review the country of origin principle' with regard to abuse by Netflix, whose operations in France are subject to Luxembourg legislation. At the same time, he underlined that this principle creates a clear framework for the European audiovisual sector, facilitates the cross-border movement of works, and enables EBU Members the European public service media to operate correctly.

"It is up to the Member States to create a framework of rules and incentives, in the name of cultural diversity, in the name of the movement of works with a point of reference the country of origin. Because there is an anomaly, a grey zone, so we will end up once again with one extremely powerful player that will give rise to huge financial flows that the creative market players will have no access to. This is likely to undermine pluralism, which enriches society, but is also the democratic right of every citizen.

The panel of the Forum de Chaillot "Culture in the digital age the new issues facing creation" in which Jean-Paul Philippot took part can be viewed on line in its entirety.

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