AIG Newsletter 24 July 2023

NEWS

PARLIAMENT’S CULT ADOPTS DRAFT OPINION ON GEO-BLOCKING REGULATION   

On 18 July, Parliament’s CULT Committee adopted its opinion on the implementation of the Geo-Blocking Regulation in the digital single market. Rapporteur Sabine Verheyen (EPP) underlined the importance of the film and audiovisual sectors and stressed the need to safeguard the EU’s cultural and linguistic diversity, and to champion media pluralism. Verheyen also highlighted the adverse impact that COVID-19 had on the sector. On territorial licensing, the CULT Committee noted that this type of licensing allows for exclusive allocation of licensing rights for these sectors. Verheyen went on to argue that the inclusion of audiovisual services in the scope of the Regulation would result in a significant loss of revenue and would reduce cultural diversity.

PARLIAMENT’S LIBE ADOPTS DRAFT OPINION ON EUROPEAN MEDIA FREEDOM ACT  

On 18 July, Parliament’s LIBE Committee adopted its draft opinion on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The proposal would create a common framework for media services in the internal market. The draft opinion includes clear and legally binding principles to protect journalists' sources and to prohibit the use of spyware and surveillance technologies against journalists. There is also a proposal for the creation of an independent European Board for Media Services to assess situations that could impact media freedom and pluralism. Additional amendments address the need for a level playing field between digital platforms and media service providers.     

COMMISSION STATEMENT ON GENERATIVE AI  

On 13 July, a plenary session of Parliament heard from the Commission on Global Convergence on Generative AI. Vice President Věra Jourová called for an ‘AI pact’ to seek voluntary commitments from companies to implement the AI Act, ahead of the deadline for implementation. Jourová argued that earlier implementation is important, given the pace of developments in AI. Jourová went on to note that EU engagement on AI extends to the OECD, the G7, the United Nations and the Council of Europe. The G7 provided a forum for the creation of the Hiroshima AI process, with a focus on the development of guardrails on generative AI. Some MEPs expressed concerns about voluntary agreements and argued that these should not undermine the work done so far on the AI Act or influence ongoing efforts.   

NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN ON ETHICS BODY

On 7 July, Vice President Jourová launched negotiations for the creation of an interinstitutional ethics body. The Commission hopes that the body will set high standards for ethical conduct, to enhance transparency and integrity among public officials who serve in EU institutions. The Parliament adopted the draft agreement for an ethics body on 11 July during the Strasbourg Plenary session. However, MEPs argued that the current proposal was not sufficient, and called for the creation of a body that could be investigate alleged breaches of ethics rules and to have the power to request for key documents and to recommend sanctions. The Parliament also expressed disappointment over the body only consisting of five observers, rather than nine independent ethics experts, as had been requested. The Parliament is now set to negotiate with the Council and Commission, aiming to conclude discussions by the end of 2023.    

LAST AIG NEWSLETTER UNTIL SEPTEMBER 

This is the last newsletter for the summer. Please keep an eye out for the next newsletter in September.

Please contact Usman for any queries on AIG related matters.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

14 Sept: EDAA Summit