NEWS published on 12 Mar 2018

EBU welcomes new Recommendation on the roles and responsibilities of internet intermediaries

The Council of Europe has adopted a new standard-setting instrument, calling on States to establish a framework for the protection of human rights in the digital environment.

The Recommendation on the roles and responsibilities of internet intermediaries examines how information flows are managed by internet intermediaries, and proposes measures to strengthen the transparency and accountability of these actors. It also puts forward effective remedies for users, content providers and other affected parties vis-à-vis intermediaries.

EBU’s Head of Media & Communications Law, Dr Michael Wagner, closely followed the drafting process of the Recommendation, providing input on behalf of the EBU and its Members:

“The Council of Europe has made an important step towards defining an appropriate regulatory framework for information intermediaries. This balanced approach will certainly need to be fleshed out in the coming years.”

This Recommendation will certainly be taken into account in the future work on a Code of Practice recommended by the High Level Expert Group on Fake News and Online Disinformation (see EBU press release).

Another Recommendation, on media pluralism and transparency of media ownership, was also adopted on 7 March.