A new independent body has been formed to provide a single voice for consumer interests in the UK. The Direct Marketing Authority will act as an umbrella for the current Authority of the DMA, the Mailing Preference Service, the Fax Preference Service, the Direct Mail Accreditation and Recognition Centre and subject to further consultation, the… Continue reading UK: Direct Marketing Authority
In Germany there is increasing pressure for an outright ban on the advertising of alcoholic beverages on TV. The federal government has reiterated its call for a restriction during sports broadcasting, and five health ministers of the regional states have called for a total ban on TV. The ZAW regards this as an unwarranted interference… Continue reading DE: Pressure Increases For A Ban
More than 60 leading international high-technology companies have proposed a global standard aimed at protecting security of Internet users. They have all backed the Open Profiling Standard, which would enable people to exchange personal profile information over the Internet while still making it possible to limit the use and distribution of their private information over… Continue reading EU: Data Protection Standard For Internet
20 per cent of Britain’s 200 biggest companies will be advertising on the internet by 1998, according to a survey by the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA). Of those intending to advertise on the Internet, most would not use an agency to do so and all said they would value the recently-introduced Audit Bureau… Continue reading UK: Internet Advertising To Grow
Scottish Media, which this morning confirmed that it is in merger talks with Grampian (see Scottish Media Moves On Grampian item), has experienced a soar in its share price. The group, which owns STV, began the day at 675p and at 4.04pm was priced at 690p.If the merger went ahead, the addition of Grampian would… Continue reading Scottish Media Soars On Merger Talk
In a key ruling on 29 May, the European Court of Justice held that EU countries may not unilaterally block television broadcasts transmitted from other MS, even if they do not meet European-based programming rules. Under the EU’s Broadcasting Directive, EU television channels are required to devote over half their screen time to European programmes… Continue reading EU: ECJ Rules Against Broadcast Blocks
Among the numerous proposed amendments of the EU Treaty to be considered at the European Summit in Amsterdam in June is one to exempt public broadcasters (radio and television) from EU rules on state aid. In April, the Council of Cultural Ministers agreed to add an Annex to the EU Treaty, exempting MS from Treaty… Continue reading EU: Exemption for public broadcasters
After years of argument between the European Parliament and Council over the proposed Directive relating to the price indication of products, a Conciliation Committee between the two bodies has been set up to resolve differences over the draft. The draft Directive would impose an obligation on retailers to include labels on most products indicating both… Continue reading Eu: Dual-Price Labelling Directive
Mike Moore – Mississippi Attorney General – has stated that negotiators in tobacco settlement talks had reached agreement on a list of public health objectives but that no pact is expected quickly. If there was no progress, Moore said he would prepare the first state case scheduled for trial against the tobacco industry seeking billions… Continue reading US: States Negotiate Restrictions
It is reported that the ITC could announce the winners of the digital terrestrial licences later this week. There is also speculation that the licences could be split between the two main rivals, the British Digital Broadcasting Consortium and Digital Television Network Ltd.The ITC, however, has refused to confirm or deny either of these rumours.
