BRUSSELS, Belgium-Proposed European Union broadcasting rules would restrict the growth of emerging media formats including mobile phones, according to a group of media and technology companies.
Yahoo Inc., Vodafone Group plc and Cisco Systems Ltd. are among a consortium of firms protesting the proposal, which would subject new media platforms to existing rules for traditional broadcasters. The 29-company alliance established a Web site, www.audiovisualstakeholders.org, and issued a nine-page document outlining its concerns.
The rules, which include limits on hate speech, advertising and types of content that can be broadcast to children, are designed to level the playing field for traditional broadcast platforms. Other supporters include T-Mobile U.K., the Newspaper Publishers Association and music and film associations.
While the firms said they agree with the objectives of the proposal, dubbed i2010, they said the directive may “deter new and existing new media players from the market and divert investment and innovation away from the EU.” The rules also may not protect consumers fully, according to the companies, “by undermining existing legislation and self-regulatory schemes, which already operate successfully in this area.”
