European films scored at Cannes. Congratulate yourselves. You paid for it. - May 30,2008
Europe’s national film industries have been in a long battle, mostly with Hollywood, often among each other, soon with Brazil and Bollywood. After a two decades waiting a French film, the documentary style “Entre les murs” by Laurent Cantet, won the Golden Palm. Other European film works partook of the prestige. EC President José Manuel Barroso said, “Europe can be proud.”

European Telecoms, Still Arguing With The Likes Of Google And Yahoo That Don’t Want To Share Their Mobile Search Pie, Now Have To Fight The EU That Wants Big Decreases In Cross-Border Text Charges - February 20, 2008
The message that telecoms and vendors wanted people to take home from the Mobile World Congress last week was that it won’t be too long before every shirt pocket or purse will soon by carrying a very smart phone. But along came EU Telecoms Commissioner Mrs. Viviane Reding on the first day and spoiled the party by telling EU telecoms that they need to greatly reduce international text roaming charges by July 1, or she’ll do it for them/p>

Microsoft, Yahoo and you - February 4, 2008
Microsoft’s unsolicited €30.2 billion ($44.6 billion) offer for search engine Yahoo grants bragging rights to CEO Steve Ballmer for ‘big deal’ of the week, or month, or year. If nothing else, it’s audacious. And it speaks volumes of the desperation to rejoin the club it invented.

Another government charged with broadcasting rules violations - February 4, 2008
Governments love public broadcasters that dutifully toe the line. The reward is ample financing and legal structures sufficiently opaque to hold off private sector competition. Some might call this synergy.

Slovak legislators hold EU Treaty hostage over media law - January 31, 2008
Center-right political parties are threatening to block Slovak ratification of the EU reform treaty unless Prime Minister Robert Fico withdraws a controversial draft media law. Since taking power in 2006 PM Fico has engaged in a war over media and press reforms. He has consistently criticized the existence of any press criticism.

UK Government To Spend £75 Million On Advertising How To Lead A Healthy Life, But Still Allows Some Junk Food Advertising Before 9 p.m., Protecting The £211 Million That A Ban Would Cost TV Companies - January 24, 2008
Here are the UK government’s priorities when it comes to valuing child health: it’s worth taxpayers paying £372 million ($740 million, €495 million) for a vigorous multi-faceted program to combat obesity that includes a £75 million ($150 million, €100 million) advertising campaign aimed at adults to vigorously promote healthy eating and exercise lifestyles. But, for now at least, it’s not worth getting more bang for that taxpayer spend by endangering the £211 million that TV companies would lose if all junk food advertising were banned before 9 p.m.

Another shot across the bow of public broadcasting as the EC opens inquiry - January 14, 2008
Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes wants to ask some questions. A day after French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced his intention to radically change the way French public broadcasting is funded, the European Commission fires its own shot over that bow.

Europe’s Media Rules – From Television Without Frontiers to the Future

The Television Without Frontiers Directive is all but a memory, soon to be replaced by the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. This ftm Knowledge file details the issues, the debates and the outcome. Also included are articles on competition, product placement and cinema. 51 pages PDF (June 2007)
Free to ftm Members, others from €39
Order

Flying Through Turbulence – Media in the New EU Member States

ftm reports on media in the 12 newest EU Member States. Will media find clear air or more turbulence? Country reports, company reports and broadcaster/publisher reports. 98 pages PDF file (February 2007)

Free to ftm members and others from €39 Order