20/02/2003

After more than a year’s preparatory work the French Parliament of Belgium voted in favour of a new broadcasting decree that was presented by the Minister for Audiovisual Affairs, Richard Miller.
The decree could not come be more pertinent or timely: it deals with a number of serious problems that are currently afflicting the audiovisual industry. As a consequence of the spread of digital and satellite TV, around 200 new TV channels are expected to become operational over the next few years.
The 165-article decree sets down clear and unequivocal guidelines obliging broadcasters to invest in national film production.

The government also called for European Community rules to be reinforced to prevent broadcasters from lodging an appeal against the “Television Without Frontiers” European directive which is nowhere near as stringent as the Belgian decree.
The Belgian decree also gives more power to the Superior Audiovisual Council (CSA), who monitor programming content both on radio and television, to ensure that no gratuitous violence or invasive advertising is broadcast. The CSA will also rule on whether or not to issue the new TV channels with broadcasting licences, and will ensure the decree is adhered to. The CSA controls the management of Belgian national broadcaster, RTBF, and has the power to levy sanctions should they fail respect the decree.