Activity Details (ID# 14084)

Activity Synopsis

The main objectives of the T-TT at its 41st meeting T-TT were:
- to pursue work on the revision of European Convention on Transfrontier Television;
- to exchange information on the implementation of the Convention;
- to prepare opinions with regard to requests for interpretation of the Convention;
- to examine the list of events of major importance notified by 'the FYROM'';
-to consider the requests of the Audiovisual Communication Authority of Morocco and the Council for Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting of Israel to participate in a meeting of the Committee. 

1. The T-TT during its 41st meeting pursued work on the revision of the Convention in the light of developments in the television sector and new communication technologies. In view of the importance of progressing as efficiently as possible with the revision, the T-TT decided to set up a drafting group.

2. The T-TT took note with satisfaction that the Russian Federation had signed the Convention on 4 October 2006 and of the various initiatives that had benn taken in with regard to promoting further accessions to the Convention and widening its geographical application. The Committee decided to invite the Audiovisual Communication Authority of Morocco and the Council for Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting of Israel to participate in its next meeting .

3. An opinion on Article 12, paragraph 4 of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television (regarding the meaning of the expression ''announcements in the public interest'') was adopted.

4. An opinion on Article 18, paragraph 3 of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television (regarding the prohibition of sponsorship of news and current affairs programmes in the context of thematic news channels).

5. Subject to the provision of additional information and clarification requested by the Standing Committee, it agreed that it will adopt by exchange of e-mails, an opinion on the list of events of major importance for society, notified by ''the FYROM'', with a view to its mutual recognition by states party to the Convention without waiting until the next T-TT meeting.

6. The T-TT exchanged information on the implementation of the Convention, in particular relating to (i) Article 9a of the Convention on the adoption and notification to the T-TT of lists of events of major importance and (ii) the designation of authorities with a view to the mutual assistance of states party in order to implement the Convention as provided for in Article 19 thereof. It suggested that the list of the latter be made readily available, for example on the Media Division website.

 

The drafting group should provide a draft text of the revised Convention in time for the 42nd meeting of hte T-TT in autumn 2007.

The list of events of major importance for society, notified by ''the FYROM'', should be adopted by the T-TT in the first half of 2007.

The opinions will be published and the list of designated authorities made available on the web site.

The Audiovisual Communication Authority of Morocco and the Council for Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting of Israel will be invited to participate in the next meeting of the Committee.
 

37 participants representing 28 States party and 12 participants representing 9 observers 

Mr Jan Kleijssen, Director, Directorate General of Human Rights
Mr Jan Malinowski, Head of Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights
Ms Katherine Anderson-Scholl, Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights