Public broadcasters call for net neutrality rules

Jean-Paul Philipott

Public broadcasters at the EBU general assembly in Prague have adopted a declaration calling for EU governments to adopt clear net neutrality rules. 

The declaration states that net neutrality rules are necessary to strengthen freedom of expression in the digital age, to foster knowledge for citizens, to leverage incentives for Europe’s creative industries and to boost innovation.

Last year, the European Parliament proposed a number of improvements to the EU Single Telecom Market draft regulation’s provisions on net neutrality. However EU Member State governments have so far largely failed to follow suit, and have been unable to reach an agreement with the European Parliament.

“PSM organisations in Europe share the view that strong net neutrality rules need to be one of the foundations of the Internet of tomorrow. Without clear and strong rules, access to online-content risks becoming confined to walled gardens rather than widely available in open spaces,” said EBU president Jean-Paul Philipott.

“These rules are very important for PSM because we want to give citizens easy access to our online-content without Internet access providers acting as gatekeepers. More broadly, a solid net neutrality framework will provide long-term guarantees for freedom of expression and pluralism, and favour innovation.”