Media experts engaged in the European partnership programme focused on collecting data on the film and audiovisual markets in the South Mediterranean region have agreed to create a permanent audiovisual network – to be known as the Euromed Observatory – to service regional requests.

The decision was taken during a meeting in Turin (23-24/9) of experts from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU),  the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO), the Permanent Conference of Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM), in collaboration with the Union of Broadcasting of the Arab States (ASBU) as part of the as part of the European Union's Euromed Audiovisual III programme.

The three phase initiative, which was launched in 2000, promotes international cooperation by helping media professionals develop, distribute and promote their works internationally between the ten South Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia. More than 250 Arab television channels have been set up in the South Mediterranean countries, beside many other satellite channels broadcast from other Arab countries and Europe.

EBU Head of Institutional Relations Giacomo Mazzone says a permanent collection network will not only improve the understanding of the South Mediterranean region's audiovisual markets and relevant policies, but also encourage investment, regional cooperation, and development across the film and audiovisual sector.

"The first step is to build a framework to support the creation of the Euromed Observatory. As part of a broader organizational restructure, ASBU will seek General Assembly approval to create a media intelligence service, tasked with primary research, data collection and detailed analysis to support their daily operations and strategic planning," said Mr Mazzone. "We hope a treaty between the EU and participating states will be in place by mid next year, thereby providing decision-makers with reliable data to set new policies and to promote sound investments in the South Mediterranean region."

So far, the programme has launched reports explaining how participating members collect and publish data on their respective markets in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morroco.  Reports on other countries from the region are expected by the end of the year.