The European Audiovisual Observatory publish a mapping report on the rules applicable to video-sharing platforms

The European Audiovisual Observatory publish a mapping report on the rules applicable to video-sharing platforms in order to counter disinformation.

The report, part of the Creative Europe program, is entitled «Mapping report on the rules applicable to video-sharing platforms», explains the presentation note of the report which can be downloaded on the Observatory’s website.

The report presents a comparative analysis of the national regulatory framework, the measures imposed on Video-sharing platforms (VSP) in order to protect from harmful and illegal content, their application in practice and enforcement. It also includes feedback from a number of stakeholders (Dailymotion, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch) on the measures they have put in place to comply with the legal obligations. The report contains also 30 extensive country factsheets, each one mirroring the study of the comparative analysis.

Key findings of this new mapping report:

• The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) provisions have been transposed into national legislation without much variation or further elaboration.
• The AVMSD’s definitions of what a video-sharing platform actually is have been transposed almost verbatim into national legislation.
• The vast majority of measures included in the AVMSD aimed at protecting the public from certain content have been included in national legislation.
• These measures put the emphasis on technical measures and flagging/notification systems to enable take-down of harmful content.
• Efficient ways of dealing with user complaints are also part of the measures stipulated in the new AVMSD.
• National regulatory authorities (NRAs) will assume a greater role in the regulation and enforcement of the new rules, their supervision and enforcement, dispute resolution and the development of self- and co-regulatory measures.
• Both the NRAs and VSPs are called upon to launch media and information literacy activities. These should contain obligations for the VSPs themselves but should also concern a wider range of stakeholders too.
• Some of the new measures cover areas dealt with by other public institutions, such as data protection. In such cases co-operative arrangements will be needed.
• Given the cross-border nature of VSPs, the NRAs will need to enhance their cooperation in order to efficiently oversee the application of the new AVMSD rules.

Link to download the report