REGULATING CONVERGENCE: Approaches of the EU and the UK, and New Issues in Media Regulation

Abstract

Traditionally Tele-communications and broadcasting originated from dtfferent regulatory cultures. In the past Tele-communications and Broadcasting markets within the EU were state-owned monopolies. In the 90's the EU forced Member Stmes to liberalize their Tele-communications markets. On the Broadcasting side EU found it difficult to develop a regulatory regime concerning content and culture. Member Stares had the sole power over these issues. But convergence bmween these seaors and information technologies allow the EU to regulate this new area. This article will examine the development of convergence and its legal and regulatory implicmions. 

Keywords

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REGULATING CONVERGENCE: Approaches of the EU and the UK, and New Issues in Media Regulation

Abstract

The European Union has stepped up through a phase in which Single European Act, the EU Treaty, Amsterdam Treaty and Nice Treaty became important landmarks. Together with the Rome Treaty these establishing treaties put objectives and destination ofthe Union, which are well-known characteristics ofthe EU, -like peace and solidarity expressed in the preamble of the Rome Treaty and the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law on which the Union 'is founded'. However, there had been a question regarding the methods and means of this ongoing intensive progress. Which methods/means could be employed or applied to achieve these objectives?

The Union has taken necessary initiative and amended the Treaties by way of Intergovernmental Conferences for a long time. As this method got many criticisms because o f lack o f legitimacy, the Conventions have formed to discuss and to work on the matters regarding the future of the EU. The Conventions submits drafts or proposals for the matters outlined by the European Council to the next /GC which would make amendments to the Treaties. First Convention was gathered in year 2000 and worked on a Charter o f Fundamental Rights o f the EU and The European Commission, The European Council and The European Parliament proclaimed it. Second Convention, The Convention of the Future of the EU, started to work in February 2002 to submit proposals on the issues pointed by Leaken European Council to 2004 IGC. This article is about this second Convention. 

Keywords

• THE EU
• THE UK
• Media Regulation

References

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