Legal Advisers and Public Affairs Experts met in Geneva for the 10th EBU Legal and Public Affairs Assembly (15 to 16 October). The Assembly reached a consensus on several important policy consultations launched by the European Commission over the course of the past months and agreed on coordinated approaches for finalising the remaining EBU responses.

The consultations all feature against the backdrop of the EU Digital Single Market, covering the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the review of the Satellite and Cable Directive and the role of platforms and online intermediaries in particular. Ensuring that public service media content is easily found and accessed by audiences on all relevant platforms is a major priority, as is the development of new copyright licensing mechanisms adapted to the online world.

A multidisciplinary EBU team presented the risks and opportunities of Big Data, assessing how public service media can develop its own principles-based approach to fully embrace the data revolution. “EBU data principles aim to reinforce trust with audiences and maintain the identity of public service media”, said EBU Senior Legal Adviser Anne-Catherine Berg.

Peter MacAvock Senior Manager of Delivery and Services, EBU Technology & Innovation touched on the pioneering research carried out by the EBU, working on exploiting synergies between Members and testing recommendation algorithms.

Keynote speaker Pierre-Nicolas Schwab, Head of the RTBF Big Data Corporate Project gave a compelling presentation of RTBF's practices. Data protection was also the subject of a case study presentation on the recent CJEU Schrems ruling on the safe harbour agreement between the EU and the US.

The EBU invited executive Director of the Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation and former high-ranking EU official Pierre Defraigne, who shared his outspoken opinion on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP): “The debate of TTIP must be made by European citizens. TTIP is a good way to change the European mindset and raise awareness about our shared heritage."

Members also benefited from presentations by other EBU departments on 5G, Spectrum and PSM's contribution to society. This was also the opportunity for Members to present updates on national developments.

Finally, Helena Havlikova (CR, Czech Republic), Elene Mikhailova (GBP, Georgia) and María Dolores Villar Guzmán (RTVE, Spain) were unanimously elected to the EBU's Legal and Policy Committee.

The next meeting of the Legal and Public Affairs Assembly will take place 21-22 April 2016, in Malta.

New Legal and Policy Committee members (from left to right) María Dolores Villar Guzmán (RTVE, Spain), Helena Havlikova (CR, Czech Republic) and Elene Mikhailova (GBP, Georgia).