52 Amendments of Hannes HEIDE related to 2021/2017(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 26 May 2021 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled ‘European Commission Guidance on Strengthening the Code of Practice on Disinformation’ (COM(2021)262),
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
— having regard to the European Council conclusions on Europe’s Media in the Digital Decade: an Action Plan to support recovery and transformation of 18 May 2021,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
— having regard to the European Council conclusions on safeguarding a free and pluralistic media system of 18 November 2020,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 b (new)
Citation 12 b (new)
— having regard to the European Council conclusions on improving the cross-border circulation of European audiovisual works, with an emphasis on co-productions of 7 June 2019,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 c (new)
Citation 12 c (new)
— having regard to the European Council conclusions on the strengthening of European content in the digital economy of 19 December 2018,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 b (new)
Citation 16 b (new)
— having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC,
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20
Citation 20
— having regard to the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom report entitled ‘Media Pluralism Monitor 2020 Results’outcomes of the World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, and to those of the Media Pluralism Monitor of the European University Institute's Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom of July 2020,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the cultural and creative sectors, of which publishing and news media and audiovisual sectors are an integral and vital part, have been among the hardest hit by the fallout from COVID- 19; whereas these sectors are also expected to recover at a more moderate pace than the general economy;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the pandemic has caused a sudden halt in advertising investments, which are an essential source of revenue for the overall sector; whereas, according to early estimates, news mediathe overall sector saw its advertising revenues drop by 20 % to 80 %; whereas media organisationsadvertising will be the slowest segment to recover and it is not expected to exceed pre-COVID figures before 2022; whereas media organisations, especially SMEs, often face liquidity issues;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the film industry, in its articulated value chain, has been severely impacted by the containment measures adopted in Europe; whereas cinemas across the European Union experienced a 69% drop in boxoffice in 2020, resulting in a total decrease of €4 billion in revenues compared to 20193a; _________________ 3ahttps://www.unic- cinemas.org/en/news/news- blog/detail/european-cinema-industry- sees-eur62-billion-box-office-drop-in- 2020/
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
B b. whereas, in addition to the effects of the pandemic, the media sector is also facing relevant challenges linked to the digital shift and its impact on the overall business model of the sector; whereas the media sector operates in different markets, with different degrees of vertical and horizontal concentration;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas quality, well-financed and independent news media and professional jothe right to freedom of expression and media freedom and plurnalism are an essentialrecognized as fundamental rights and, as such, pillars of democracy; whereas every effort must be made to increase media pluralism3 ; _________________ 3 No EU country registers a low level of risk in the market plurality area according to ‘Monitoring Media Pluralism in the Digital Era’, p. 50:https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle /1814/67828/MPM2020- PolicyReport.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed =ythe core democratic values on which European Union is founded; whereas high-quality, well-financed and independent publishing and news media sectors are an essential pillar of democracy;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the importance of independent, pluralistic and trustworthy media as guardian of democracy cannot be underestimated; whereas media freedom has been severely deteriorating over the past decade; whereas every effort must be undertaken to ensure robustness, economic and political independence of media and to increase media freedom and pluralism4a; _________________ 4a No EU country registers a low level of risk in the market plurality area according to ‘Monitoring Media Pluralism in the Digital Era’, p.50
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas further efforts must be undertaken to establish a safe, fair and competitive online environment which also safeguards citizen’ fundamental rights;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
C c. whereas the media sector covers a variety of businesses that produce, broadcast and distribute content and whose value is based on intellectual property (IP);
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the audiovisual sector as well as the news and publishing sector plays a vital partrole in fostering the resilience of our democratic societies, cultural diversity and media pluralism; whereas the heterogeneity of the sector is also one of its strengths, helping to nurture, promote and strengthen Europe’s cultural, linguistic, social and political diversity;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the sectoral strategy foreseen by the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan should be as holistic as possible, making full use of all potential leverage to encourage investments in the news and publishing sector as well as the audiovisual sector;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas the seriousness of the COVID-19 crisis, whose economic and social consequences are still unfolding, has reinforced the need for reliable, accurate and quality journalism that can inform citizens and foster their critical thinking;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
D c. whereas territorial and exclusive licensing rights are vital for the film and audiovisual sector in order to preserve and guarantee their creativity, financing, freedom and long-term sustainability;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
D d. whereas actions foreseen under the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan should be implemented on the basis of two pillars: the revised Audiovisual Media Service Directive (EU)5a and the MEDIA programme, which further support the access to and availability of cinema and audio-visual works across Europe; _________________ 5aDirective (EU)2018/1808 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive);
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the fallout of the economic downturn, and strongly reiterates its calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase support available for the news mediaand publishing sector and audiovisual sectors, ands well as the cultural and creative sectors more broadly, with a special attention to the SMEs; considers that allocations for the media sector should be increased across various multiannual financial framework (MFF) programmes;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Welcomes the development of an interactive tool to map various support instruments available at European level as well as at Member States level, including through the National Recovery and Resilience Plans; stresses that such an instrument should primarily facilitate access to funding opportunities by developing a user-friendly and straightforward interface and it should also offer proper technical support and assistance throughout the application process;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the launch of the ‘NEWS’ initiative for the news media sector, including the European News Media Forum; reiterates emphatically its repeated calls for the creation of a permanent European news media fund; and publishing sector; salutes that such initiative will be supported by different MFF programmes; however, in order to ensure proper use of EU funds, underlines the need to develop full oversight over the initiative;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Highlights that capacity building services that will complement the ‘NEWS’ initiative should also have a focus on local media outlets; welcomes the proposal to complement the initiative by establishing a European News Media Forum, which should be as inclusive as possible and lead to thorough discussions with the sectors on their ongoing transformations. Invites the Commission, based on the feedback of the sectors, to turn such initiative into a permanent one;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the importrelevance of the cross-sectoral strand in the Creative Europe programme, which for the first time provides for actions focused on the news medianew Creative Europe programme and welcomes the introduction of new actions, under the revamped cross-sectoral strand, focused on enhancing media freedom, quality journalism and media literacy;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Acknowledges that some parts of the audiovisual ecosystem are not covered by current support measures; invites the Commission to continue exploring tailored support schemes for the news and publishing as well as the audiovisual sector; urges particular attention be paid in all support actions to Member States with low audiovisual production capacity;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Invites the Commission to conduct a study, develop guidelines and share among Member States the best practices ifacilitate the sharing of information and best practices among Member States on public financing mechanisms;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Acknowledges that radio can offer a trusted source of real-time information across borders where reliable news is scarce; calls on the Commission to further ensure proper funding for the continuation of Euranet Plus’ operational activities and the extension of its membership, geographic and linguistic coverage, as well as to enable it to invest in its digital transformation and in quality products and services;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that tax policies can helpare a vital instrument that could facilitate recovery and resilience of these sectors; encourages Member States withto set up adequate fiscal scope to help boost media and cinema consumption through VAT rates that accommodate thitax policies to support and boost media production, distribution and consumption; stresses that cinema consumption should be further supported through tax credits to incentivise investments; calls on the Commission to facilitate exchange of good practice among Member States in order to support the competitiveness of the media and audiovisual sectors;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Draws attention to the fact that the current crisis riskis speeding up news media consolidation, which can be to the detriment of media pluralism in the Union; considernotes that these trends are particularly unwelcome in smaller markets where the choice is already limited; asks, therefore, for the competition authorities to remain vigilant and consider the long-term impact of mergers and acquisitions not only on market share, but also on linguistic and cultural diversity;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with concern that global online platforms have a vast disruptive impact on the audiovisual and media sector, as they dominate the data and advertising market, and have radically changed audience consumption patterns; underlines that current legislation does not regulateentirely provide for a fair environment on pivotal issues in the informationonline ecosystem such as access to data, digital advertising, algorithmic transparency, platform accountability, must-show and other questions; considers that timely adoption of legislationintermediary platforms' data by media content service providers on their own programmes and services, algorithmic transparency, platform accountability, advertising rules, especially for online political advertising; reiterates that timely adoption of legislation, such as the Digital Service Act package, is needed to help address these shortcomings ias a matter of urgency; stresses that policy action is needed in order to achieve transparency of information, a fair and contestable media market, as well as a high level of protection of viewers, including the significant strengthening of the Code of Practice on Disinformation;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Recognises the need for a wider and more ambitious set of measures to fight Intellectual Property theft; stresses that ensuring the responsibility and accountability of online platforms is an important step towards proper rewarding investment in content creation; considers that full and proper implementation of Directive (EU)2019/7906a is instrumental to rectify the regulatory imbalances in the digital space and to address online piracy, which is detrimental to the cultural and creative sectors and industries; _________________ 6aDirective (EU)2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the additional challenges for news mediaand publishing sector operating in smaller markets, including local, regional and niche media, which have limited revenues, and are not viable using current commercial business models, and which cannot embrace new ones that media operating in larger markets can; believes, therefore, that public funding mechanisms based on the arm’s length principle are increasingly necessarycould be beneficial; calls on Member States to ensure stable, transparent and adequate funding for public service media on a multiannual basis in order to guarantee their independence from governmental, political and market pressure and enable them to provide a broad range of pluralistic information and diverse content;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that it is essential to ensure and maintain the independence of private and public service media from political and economic interference, including from external actorsdomestic and non-domestic actors, as well as their financial stability; acknowledges the specific situation of Member States which are exposed to geopolitical risks arising from third country interference in their information space, including through media financing; believes that the best viable antidote is a more robust media landscape with steady and reliable revenue streams; considers increased transparency to be importantvital, and therefore welcomes the Media Ownership Monitor initiative;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Underlines that the development of a robust and independent media landscape can be pursued through the complementarity with the actions foreseen under the European Democracy Action Plan by addressing the areas in which our systems and citizens are most vulnerable;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Expresses concern about the disruptive trends created by the platforms, as they can undermine competition in the long term, andweaken the independent audiovisual sector and unfairly reduce opportunities for other actors; asks the Commission to monitor the situation closely and, if appropriate, take all necessary actions to make conditions for competition more equitable;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the progress made both at EU and OECD level in working out a global solution to effectively taxing the digital economy, based on digital businesses paying tax according to their economic activities in each country; considers that these new sources of revenue should be channelled by Member States to suppor. Notes that such solution should be agreed on a global level based on the two-pillar approach carried out by the G20⁄OECD Inclusive Framework and it should be on a new tax nexus and new taxing rights which would create the possibility of taxing multinational enterprises in market jurisdictions, even where they have no physical presence based on their economic activity; underlines that the interaction with users and consumers significantly contributes to value creation in digital business models and should therefore be taken into account twheir audiovisual and news media sectorn allocating taxing rights;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission to elaborate comprehensive European news media and audiovisual sector strategies, publishing and audiovisual sector strategies; underlines that such strategies should explore all options available, including tax incentives, trade policy, enhanced accountability and rules for online platforms to establish a regulatory level playing field allowing media to continue to invest in news and cultural content while protecting European consumers equally online and offline;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the need for transformation in the news mediaand publishing sector, including through the digitalisation of newsrooms, the uptake of artificial intelligence (AI), changes and improvements to content creation and presentation, as well as better distribution and subscription models, including micro- payments; notes that the above requires additional investment and skills that news mediaand publishing sector players often lack, especially those with small market share; calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide tailored support for the digital transformation of the sector;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Recalls that the Audiovisual Media Service Directive as revised in 2018, was due to be transposed into national law by September 2020; therefore, calls on all Member States to swiftly implement it in all its provisions and on the Commission to closely monitor developments in this regard;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Welcomes the implementation, in close cooperation with ERGA, of a media literacy toolbox with practical application of the newmedia literacy obligations foreseen by the Audiovisual Media Service Directive (EU)2018/1808;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Welcomes the proposal of a European Media Freedom Act, recently advanced by the European Commission, as a new tool to protect media freedom in Europe. Underlines that a European Media Freedom Act should look at the media not only as economic players, but also as a cornerstone of the European democracy; therefore, urges the Commission to develop an ambitious, robust and complete mechanism, founded on the current legislation, notably the Audiovisual Media Service Directive, to strengthen the EU’s capacity to monitor and sanction actions that would limit or harm media freedom;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Acknowledges the importance of independent freelance journalism and its potential for future growth due to lower entry costs and easier ways to reach an audience, facilitated by innovative publishing and payment solutions, which canshould nevertheless ensure a decent remuneration with the aim of improveing the economic situation ofor freelance professionals;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. UCalls on the Commission to ensure that initiatives and support measures to safeguard and promote media freedom and pluralism cover all media, including the publishing sector; underlines the added value of including the media sector in media and information literacy initiatives;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Acknowledges that the existing creation and distribution models in the European audiovisual sector are largely based on territorial exclusivity, and ownership of intellectual property rights by independent producers and creatorsRecalls the utmost importance of territorial exclusivity for the sustainability of the audiovisual sector; notes that ownership of intellectual property rights is held by authors, performers and independent and integrated producers in Europe;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. In this regard, welcomes Action 7 of the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan and is of the view that targeted measures to support co- production, translation, subtitling and dubbing and co-distribution could contribute to increasinge the availability of diverse European audiovisual content; in this regard, recognises the value of the work made by professionals translators of audio-visual works. Salutes the setting up of a EU Stakeholder dialogue on geo- blocking and calls for concrete proposals to further facilitate public access to cultural goods throughout Europe, while taking into account the special characteristics of the sector for its medium and long term sustainability and the effects that the pandemic has produced in the cultural and creative sector industries;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Underlines that video on demand (VOD) platformservices and other innovations are reshaping the audiovisual media landscape, and by extension creating challenges and also opportunities for incumbent players; notes that in many respects, an irreversible transformation is under way; encourages the sector’s legacy players to enter new markets and embrace innovative business models;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Emphasizes the central role played by media to shape society’s perceptions, ideas, attitudes, and behaviour; Stresses the importance of fostering European media talents including through the development of new mentoring programmes and campaigns on diversity in front and behind the camera to improve representation of women and disadvantaged groups in society and encourage them to consider media careers;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Acknowledges that the environmental impact of the audio-visual sector is significant and there is a strong need to implement common tools and green standards to make the sector climate neutral; therefore, welcomes Action 6 of the Media and Audio-visual Action Plan, which should be able to support the development and sharing of best practices encompassing the whole value chain; highlights that such Action should also facilitate international collaborations in greening practices; underlines that environmental sustainability can be a key factor and asset in making the industry more competitive and more attractive to investment;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. SAcknowledges the important role that media play in shifting behaviours by developing environmental sensitivity; stresses the importance of reducing the audiovisualmedia sector’s carbon footprint, especially at the production stage, which accounts for most CO2 emissionfrom the production to the consumption stage, as consumer devices are one of the major sources of emissions in the lifecycle of contents; notes that digital and other solutions such as virtual audiovisual production techniques can facilitate this reduction; believes that the current MFF provides a unique opportunity for funding greening projects and reaching net zero emissions within this decade;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that increased financing for digitisation and promoting the availability of Europe’s audiovisual and film heritage is necessary in order to make it more accessiblof Europe’s audiovisual and film heritage is necessary in order to increase accessibility to wider audiences and also for its preservation and restoration; calls on the Commission to promote and facilitate exchanges and capacity building among professionals in the field of film restoration and preservation; calls for enhanced support to and protection of independent SMEs, which, through their specific business model, play a pivotal role in safeguarding Europe's rich and diverse audiovisual heritage;