European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes has established a group to debate how to improve the policy framework for European media industries, chaired by Christian van Thillo, CEO of De Persgroep. The first of five group debates will take place today focussing on the impacts of the digital revolution on European media industries, and will provide input designed to foster pluralist media sector and quality journalism in spite of recent declining revenues.
Neelie Kroes said: "I want out-of-the box thinking. I want to know what the Commission can do to facilitate media's contribution to our democracy and economic growth. The digital revolution is turning media upside down: how can we use the digital Single Market and other tools to capture the potential of this new dynamic?"
The Commission will be looking for Forum members to foster debate throughout 2012, by bringing ambitious personal thinking to the Forum rather than homogenised industry or company views.
The Forum draws on the knowledge and experience of more than 20 personalities from the publishing, broadcasting, advertising, telecommunications, equipment manufacturers, social media and online industries. Members of the European Parliament and representatives of the Council of Ministers have a standing invitation to participate in this Forum.
EU Media Futures Forum topics
The debate on the futures of media industries in Europe will address questions such as:
1) What are the big trends in the media industry in Europe and globally?
2) What is the impact of these trends on business models, competition, pluralism and content creation in Europe?
3) What are the main opportunities and barriers in creating a digital media content market in Europe? What needs to be done to attain or overcome them?
4) How can the European media industries best benefit from the technological developments to enhance their competitiveness globally?
5) What are the conditions for sustainable business models that can deliver quality journalism?
