European Union News - Culture

The European Commission published the third and final public consultation in its review of the state aid criteria it uses to assess member states' support schemes for films and other audiovisual works. In particular, the Commission consults on the criteria set out in a draft Communication. Contributions to this consultation can be made until the 28 May 2013.

The European Commission launched two public consultations on media freedom and pluralism and audiovisual media regulator independence in the EU. The contributions to both consultations can be made until 14th June 2013.

The European Parliament approved a resolution that asks to the European Commission to combat corruption in sports by introducing common penalties for match-fixing. The resolution also urges the European Commission to identify third countries with a view to stepping up collaboration to combat organised crime linked to illegal betting and match-fixing.

The selection of the first pre-seleted sites to receive the European Heritage Label is reserved in 2013 to Austria, Estonia, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, who did not take part in the previous intergovernmental and have expressed their will to participate in the new Label.

The European Commission published a report that include recommendations such as to apply a limit on the number of players per club, a review of the issue of 'third-party ownership', where a player is effectively leased to a club by an agent, and an end to contractual practices which inflate transfer fees, such as where a club extends the protected period during which players cannot be transferred without its consent.

The European Commission announced the five finalists together with the Fundació Mies van der Rohe for the 2013 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award. In total, 335 works in the 37 European countries which participate in the EU Culture programme were nominated for the award.

The European Commission published a report which shows that most European film heritage institutions have not yet adapted to the digital revolution and are not yet able to preserve film digitally. According to the figures, yet only 1.5% of European film heritage is commercially or freely accessible to the public.

Two new programmes for the South Mediterranean region were approved by the European Union for a total of €29 million. The programmes are aimed at contributing to an inclusive growth and reinforcing the sectors of media and culture as vectors of development.