Rupert Murdoch, chairman of The News Corporation, attacked the Government on Friday after BSkyB’s annual shareholders’ meeting, calling it ‘excessively cautious’ and ‘paranoid’.The £623 million bid which Murdoch’s BSkyB group made for the Manchester United football club was referred to the Monopolies And Mergers Commission late last week (see Newsline) by Peter Mandelson, who was… Continue reading Murdoch Bitter Over MMC Referral
The WHO European Region’s draft second European Alcohol Action Plan, containing recommendations for media bans on alcohol advertising, is due to be discussed by WHO member state representatives (Health Ministers) at the WHO Conference in Madrid on 15-17 October 1998. The draft Action Plan states that “restrictions on advertisements lead to reduced alcohol consumption and… Continue reading EU: WHO Action Plan
Following the appeal by four tobacco companies against the phased banning of all advertising of tobacco and tobacco products within the EU between 2001 and 2006, the EC has complained about the motivations of those against the tobacco ban. In a statement to the press, a spokesman for the Commissioner responsible for public health, Padraig… Continue reading EU: EC complains about industry appeal
During an Internal Market Council meeting at the end of September, MS have expressed concerns over a recent ECJ ruling on parallel imports and trade mark laws. Following calls from Sweden, EC Ministers may consider the need to amend EU trademark legislation to make it easier for consumers to understand. Concerns were initially raised following… Continue reading EU: Council concerned about ECJ Ruling
The Independent Television Commission yesterday brought its consultation period over the issue on whether to allow ITV to axe its News At Ten bulletin to a close (see Newsline).The ITC received approximately 1700 submissions from the public and industry bodies, and will announce its decision soon after 19 November. It also commissioned an opinion poll,… Continue reading ITC Closes Consultation Period On News At Ten
The Brussels-based Alliance for a Digital Future, a coalition of European software, technology, network and telecoms companies, has accused media conglomerates of wanting to take control of the Internet through new EU rules on copyright. The Alliance has called for incidental copies of protected works not to be covered by the proposed Copyright directive. Meanwhile,… Continue reading EU: Lobbying over copyright control
Andrew Brown, Director General of the Advertising Asssociation, has been appointed Chairman of the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), the body which draws up the UK’s advertising rules. The appointment begins from January 1999.
The European Brands Association (AIM) is pressing the European Commission to make pan-European advertising and promotions a reality. AIM’s new research shows that a move to normalise legislation governing advertising, couponing, and sales promotions could boost growth and jobs.
The EC’s Expert Group on commercial communications met in Brussels on 22 October to continue its consideration of the regulation of discounts in the internal market. The group discussed this under the heading “Is mutual recognition possible?” Also on the agenda was an exchange of views on toy advertising, with several questions set out for… Continue reading EU: Agenda for Expert Group Meeting
The EC remains “positive and optimistic” on a data protection agreement with the US, following an informal meeting between the EU’s financial services director-general John Mogg and David Aaron, US under-secretary of commerce. “The atmosphere of the meeting was once again very positive and both sides remain optimistic that the objectives of the dialogue can… Continue reading EU: EC “positive” about accord
