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Croatia – Information Society and Media

Candidate countries conduct negotiations with the European Union (EU) in order to prepare themselves for accession. The accession negotiations cover the adoption and implementation of European legislation (acquis) and, more specifically, the priorities identified jointly by the Commission and the candidate countries in the analytical assessment (or ‘screening’) of the EU’s political and legislative acquis. Each year, the Commission reviews the progress made by candidates and evaluates the efforts required before their accession. This monitoring is the subject of annual reports presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

ACT

Commission Report [COM(2010) 660 final – SEC(2010) 1326 – Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

The 2010 Report presents a satisfactory level of reform. However, effort must be maintained in order to develop broadcasting and electronic communications under the conditions of open competition and an independent public service.

EUROPEAN UNION ACQUIS (according to the Commission's words)

The acquis includes specific rules on electronic communications, on information society services, in particular electronic commerce and conditional access services, and on audio-visual services. In the field of electronic communications, the acquis aims to eliminate obstacles to the effective operation of the internal market in telecommunications services and networks, to promote competition and to safeguard consumer interests in the sector, including universal availability of modern services.

As regards audio-visual policy, the acquis requires the legislative alignment with the Television without Frontiers Directive, which creates the conditions for the free movement of television broadcasts within the EU. The acquis aims to the establishment of a transparent, predictable and effective regulatory framework for public and private broadcasting in line with European standards. The acquis also requires the capacity to participate in the community programmes Media Plus and Media Training.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission's words)

Croatia has made significant progress in the field of information society and media and has achieved a high level of alignment with the acquis. However, continued efforts are needed to strengthen the capacity of the two national regulators to apply the legal framework correctly.

Liberalisation of all segments of electronic communications markets needs to be sustained.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Report [COM(2009) 533 final – SEC(2009) 1333 – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Report [COM(2008) 674 final – SEC(2008) 2694 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2008 report presented the progress made in the context of media reform. New legislative provisions had increased the media’s capacity to self-regulate without supervision by the public authorities. Satisfactory progress was also reported with regard to the country’s participation in European cultural cooperation programmes.

Commission Report [COM(2007) 663 final – SEC(2007) 1431 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2007 report noted some progress in the field of audiovisual policy. However, the question of the independence of the media landscape remained problematic due to the political pressure on the sector.

Commission Report [COM(2006) 649 final – SEC(2006) 1385 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2006 report noted that a good level of alignment had been achieved in the audiovisual field. However, substantial efforts were still required, particularly regarding the need to revise the legislation on audiovisual media to define a transparent, predictable and effective regulatory framework.

Commission Report [COM(2005) 561 final – SEC(2005) 1424 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The October 2005 report stated that several amendments should be made to the audiovisual legislative framework adopted in 2003. In addition to aligning legislation, Croatia had to ensure the rules were implemented effectively and guarantee the independence of the regulatory bodies.

Commission Opinion [COM(2004) 257 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

In its April 2004 opinion, the Commission stressed the significant progress made by Croatia in aligning with the audiovisual acquis, in particular through the adoption in 2003 of a new legislative framework relating to media. The Commission emphasised that, in the cultural and audiovisual areas, Croatia should be able to meet EU requirements in the medium term.

See also

Last updated: 02.12.2010

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