Like an Easyjet flight attendant as you touch down in some god-forsaken city, I would like to welcome each of you to the European Information Society. Welcome! Enjoy your stay in this new wonderland of (overly-regulated) media abundance.

Anyway … the EU published the official version of the AVMS Directive today. It is here: AVMS Directive Official Version

Is European media regulation now consistent, level and modernised?????? I doubt it…

Recital Number 10 specifies the overall purpose of this new AVMS Directive:

‘The Commission has adopted the initiative ‘i2010: European Information Society’ to foster growth and jobs in the information society and media industries. This is a comprehensive strategy designed to encourage the production of European content, the development of the digital economy and the uptake of ICT, against the background of the convergence of information society services and media services, networks and devices, by modernising and deploying all EU policy instruments: regulatory instruments, research and partnerships with industry. The Commission has committed itself to creating a consistent internal market framework for information society services and media services by modernising the legal framework for audiovisual services, starting with a Commission proposal in 2005 to modernise the Television without Frontiers Directive and transform it into a Directive on Audiovisual Media Services. The goal of the i2010 initiative will in principle be achieved by allowing industries to grow with only the necessary regulation, as well as allowing small start-up businesses, which are the wealth and job creators of the future, to flourish, innovate and create employment in a free market.’

I very strongly doubt the AVMS Directive will make any significant contribution to wealth and jobs…