Commission Report 2002 (Romania)

• Progress since the last Regular Report
• Overall assessment
• Conclusion

Chapter 20: Culture and audio-visual

Progress since the last Regular Report

Romania has made good progress in this area since the last Regular Report.

In the audio-visual sector, a new framework law to align with the Television Without Frontiers Directive was adopted in June 2002. co-Operation between the various Romanian bodies involved in the legislative process has also improved significantly.

Implementing legislation for advertising, teleshopping and sponsorship was adopted in March 2002. Conditions for applying the right of reply were set in a decision of the National audio-visual Council (NAC) on the obligations of broadcasters to record radio and TV programmes. The framework for broadcasting audio-visual programmes of local interest was established through an NAC decision in March 2002.

No major changes can be recorded regarding the administrative capacity of the NAC, and even though the number of control activities has been steadily increasing staffing levels remain the same as last year. A new IT network has improved communication between headquarters and regional offices. Within the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs, which has the right of legislative initiative in the audio-visual field, the Department for Harmonisation, Media and audio-visual has been disbanded and most staff who had previously dealt with audio-visual issues have left.

Both houses of Parliament have approved legislation ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Trans-frontier Television and its amending Protocol - although the Convention has still to be promulgated by the President.

In the field of culture, the Association Council Decision allowing Romania`s participation in the ``Culture 2000''. was adopted in October 2001.

Overall assessment

With the adoption of the new audio-visual law, Romania is now well advanced in terms of transposition of the acquis, although a few minor adjustments are needed in order to reach full alignment. Elements of Romania`s legislation relating to the broadcasting of European works will come into force on accession, taking into account Romania`s international obligations.

In terms of administrative capacity, the increasing number of control activities being carried out by the National audio-visual Council is a reflection of improved management abilities, although there is still a need for further training. However, disbanding the audio-visual unit in the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs raises questions as to the future role of the Ministry following the adoption of the audio-visual law.

Conclusion

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that even if necessary structural adaptations of the industry were made, sustained efforts as regards legislative changes would have to be followed through in order for Romania to meet EC requirements in the audio-visual sector in the medium term. Since the Opinion, Romania has made significant progress in the legislative field and, to a lesser degree, with improving its administrative capacity. Legislative alignment is now well advanced. The necessary administrative structures are in place.

Negotiations on this chapter continue. Romania has not requested any transitional arrangements.

Romania should focus further efforts on making the final legislative adjustments and should continue to reinforce its administrative capacity.

---

Next: Chapter 21: Regional policy and
Up: 3.1. The chapters of the
Previous: Chapter 19: Telecommunications and information