NEW PARLIAMENTARY CALL FOR LAWS ON PLURALISM IN MEDIA.

On the 7th April, the socialist party of the European Parliament launched a petition demanding a European legislative framework which will guarantee pluralism within the media. This question has long been debated within the European Institutions but as yet no legislation has been passed. Critics attribute it to the lack of pluralistic competence within the EU.

The only attempt at regulation dates back to the time of Santer in the form of a directive project (July 1996), whose aim was to reduce the number of obstacles to efficiency within the internal market. Mr Monti believed that the patchwork of the different national regulations, justified the need for intervention at community level. This appeal, the issue of many hours of discussion between interested parties, was confronted by opposition not only from several European commissioners of the time but also by certain member states. The directive project was never endorsed by the commission and remained dormant.

Harlem Desir, vice-president of the socialist party summarised the situation on the 7th April saying that "It is not the legal base that is missing, but rather political good-willo"...

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