Doc. 9462

14 May 2002

Concentration of media power

Motion for an order

presented by MM Jurgens, Hegyi, Gross and others

      Noting the growing concentration of media power – especially in the broadcasting media – in some member states;

      Considering that this concentration of media power can become an even greater danger for a free and pluralistic society now media monopolists are also acquiring political power in some member states (such as Italy) and are using this power to dominate the public service broadcasting systems;

      Considering that Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights was designed to protect the freedom of the press and of broadcasting in a pluralistic society;

      Considering that Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union guarantees “freedom and pluralism of the media”;

      The Assembly requests its Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and its Committee on Culture, Science and Education to present a report to the Assembly, by the end of 2002, on the compatibility of this form of media concentration with the standards of the Council of Europe as to the freedom of broadcasting in a pluralistic society.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Bindig, Germany, SOC

Bruce, United Kingdom, LDR

Cilevičs, Latvia, SOC

Gülek, Turkey, SOC

Gürkan, Turkey, SOC

Kresák, Slovakia, LDR

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

McNamara, United Kingdom, SOC

Nabholz-Haidegger, Switzerland, LDR

Olteanu, Romania, SOC

Wohlwend, Liechtenstein, EPP

Zwerver, Netherlands, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group