Brussels, 27 June 2012 – The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) welcomes statements made by European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes today stressing the pivotal importance of the media to democratic society.  

At a press conference on the outcome of the Media Futures Forum*, Mrs Kroes said that the media is more than an economic actor; it is a vital tool for enabling democracy that must remain so in the rapidly evolving digital world.

This stance is shared by the EBU and the European public service media organizations that it works for.

Mrs Kroes identified several other points that the EBU and its Members regard as paramount for ensuring a strong media sector now and in the future:
 

• update of copyright frameworks to simplify content licensing
• facilitated access to content for citizens
• fair reward for content creators
• adapted financial support for audiovisual creation
• rapid rollout of high-speed internet infrastructure
   

The EBU also applauds the call for a European prize for outstanding journalism, which was made at the Forum. Such an award would underline the need for quality information and the media's pivotal role in facilitating democracy.

The CEO of Finnish EBU Member YLE, Lauri Kivinen, who attended the Media Futures Forum, said: "Public service media strongly believe in the importance of sharing and expressing a plurality of views and ideas to create a public sphere in which all citizens can form their opinions. This was reflected by Neelie Kroes' presentation on the results of the Media Futures Forum. I hope that we can continue to work together for a prosperous future of the European media sector, respecting the core values of public service media. They are founded on a commitment to diversity, innovation, universality, independence, accountability and excellence."

The EBU believes the democratic role played by public service media (PSM) is of primary importance in the evolving multiplatform media environment.

PSM were amongst the first media actors to hear the "wake-up call" given by the digital revolution. It was PSM that spearheaded the development of online services – a direct response to a societal need and public expectations – to guarantee an offer of high quality information and content on the internet.

Media freedom and pluralism are central to public service media's core values, a principle cemented in the Declaration on the core values of public service media, which  was recently adopted by the EBU and its Members.

*Established in 2011 by EC Vice-President Neelie Kroes, the EU Media Futures Forum debates how to improve the policy framework for European media industries. The Forum draws on the knowledge and experience of more than 20 figures from the publishing, broadcasting, advertising, telecommunications, equipment manufacturers, social media and online industries. Members of the European Parliament and representatives of the Council of Ministers have a standing invitation to participate in this Forum

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About the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

The EBU serves 74 Members in 56 countries in and around Europe. It represents its Members and promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU Members and other media organizations. Services to Members range from legal advice, technical standardization and development to coproduction and exchange of quality European content. For more information about the EBU: www.ebu.ch and www.eurovision.com