Maximus Formula Q9550

Miss Spain Reading, are you serious?

D uring yesterday debate at the European Parliament on the freedom of information in Italy , EU Media Commissioner Viviane Reding (picture) pointed out that the European Union had limited powers in the area of the written media but that all Member States had institutions for settling any problems over fundamental rights. She called on MEPs not to try to resolve issues through the EU institutions that should be dealt with at national level . Furthermore, in her response to the MEPs, Commissioner Reading told that legislation on media pluralism would only be possible if there were internal market problems.

Limited powers? Internal market problems? Miss Reading, are you serious? Don't you remember article 7 of the Treaty on European Union? Please take a look:

Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union:

1. On a re asoned proposal by one third of the Member States, by the European Parliament or by the Commission , the Council , acting by a majority of four-fifths of its members after obtaining the assent of the European Parliament, may determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of principles mentioned in Article 6(1) ( liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, ndr ) , and address appropriate recommendations to that State. Before making such a determination, the Council shall hear the Member State in question and, acting in accordance with the same procedure, may call on independent persons to submit within a reasonable time limit a report on the situation in the Member State in question.

The Council shall regularly verify that the grounds on which such a determination was made continue to apply."

So, if the EU Commission agrees there's a risk for the Italian democracy because of the concentration of media in the hands of the head of the government, well, there's a strong and effective instrument to be used , dear Miss Reading, and I have been very surprised that you have been reminded so by Mr. Francesco Speroni , one of the worst Northern League's MEPs, during the debate.

Furthermore, you said that " legislation on media pluralism would only be possible if there were internal market problems " . Great. Hence I have to reckon that the EU Commission, and in particular you and Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes , believes that Mr. Berlusconi's control over sixth national TV channels, over newspapers and magazines, over the digital TV and his governement's action against Sky Italia - right now almost the only one independent media in the country - through a sudden raise of the IVA (tax on the added value) cannot be considered as violation of the European rules on competition and stability of the internal market. True, the issue affects only Italy and so should be dealt by the internal national institution responsible for the matter (Antitrust Commission), but what about the potential effects on the media markets of other Member States? Mr. Berlusconi has business and political interests in this sector all across the continent, and in particular in France and Spain: isn't there a risk for Europe? Isn't the European Commission worried about?

Miss Reading, media sector is not a market like the others. It's more complex and delicate, because it involves democracy, liberty and all the other principles article 6(1) of the Treaty on the EU establishes. Therefore, please be careful while dealing with it, and please treat the Italian case with the due diligence.