B4-0884, 0899, 0902, 0912 and 0928/95

Resolution on pluralism and media concentration

The European Parliament,

-recalling its resolutions of 20 January 1994 on the Commission Green Paper 'Pluralism and media concentration in the internal market' (COM(92)0480) and 27 October 1994 on concentration of the media and pluralism, in which it called on the Commission to present a proposal for a Directive, and its resolution of 16 February 1995 on the G7 conference on the information society,

A.having regard to the conclusion of the second round of consultation by the Commission on the basis of the Green Paper with a view to the adoption of a directive promoting a degree of convergence of national legislation on the subject,

B.having regard to the importance that the question of media concentration has now assumed in the political debate in all Member States, particularly in relation to safeguarding the democracy and independence of the media,

C.having regard to the negative consequences of having an information society which is subject solely to market forces, and the need to take account of the cultural, ethical, social and political implications,

1.Deplores the fact that the Commission has not yet referred the proposal to revise Directive 89/552/EEC to Parliament;

2.Awaits with impatience the results of the second round of consultation on the Green Paper on pluralism and media concentration in the internal market;

3.Considers that the divergences between national laws with regard to media concentration may harm the operation of the internal market, particularly the free movement of services and freedom of establishment, and expresses its approval of any initiative designed to promote the convergence of such national rules;

4.Hopes that the initiatives that the Commission proposes will provide a stable legal framework for the media and the information society as a whole which will ensure a comparable level of protection for pluralism in the Member States, while enabling operators to exploit the opportunities created by the internal market;

5.Regards a balanced apportionment of resources of all kinds as essential in order to safeguard the pluralism and diversity of the information media;

6.Calls on the Member States to strengthen or bring up to date their relevant legislation with a view to increasing its effectiveness, combating dominant positions and ensuring that competition rules are observed, taking into account all forms of concentration;

7.Recalls its attachment to the idea of public service in the audiovisual sector, to the need for internal pluralism on the part of public-sector radio and television channels and to the specific role it must play; considers it essential that this role should be respected;

8.Recalls that the public authorities have a duty to guarantee, in an effective manner, the exercise of freedom of expression and respect for pluralism;

9.Calls on the Commission to propose together with the parties concerned an action programme to promote pluralism in the media with a view to drawing up a code of conduct for the media in Europe (including the countries of Central and Eastern Europe) with the aim of preserving professional ethics and guaranteeing the independence of information and of journalists;

10.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission.