The European Commission has announced that it will be pursuing infringement proceedings against member states who have not implemented the legal protection of databases Directive by the due date of 1 January 1998. The MS are Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The Data Protection Registrar has welcomed Government proposals to integrate the rights under the Freedom of Information proposals with the privacy requirements under the Data Protection proposals. This means that an application for personal information made under the Freedom of Information Act should, if relating to the applicant’s own information, be treated as a subject… Continue reading UK: DPR welcomes clarification
The Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) has welcomed amendments to the Independent Television Commission’s Code which allow publishers to draw upon topical events to provide content for their printed titles and corresponding TV shows, as well as accepting the need for “overlapping” features reflecting the character of the magazine and the corresponding TV show. The amendments… Continue reading UK: Publishers welcome ITC revision
The UK Government has published proposals to combine all the supervisory and regulatory powers in respect of financial services under one regulator, the Financial Services Authority. The draft Financial Services and Markets bill sets up a single ombudsman and compensation scheme for investors and depositors, a financial services appeals tribunal, oversight of the Lloyd’s insurance… Continue reading UK: New bill to reform UK rules
According to ITC data released today, the ITV Network (including GMTV) attained an average viewing share of 32.5% for the year up to 30 June 1998. BBC1 gained a share of 30.0%. However, BBC2 pipped Channel 4 gaining 11.2% average share, to C4’s 9.9%.Channel 5 managed to clock an average viewing share of 3.5% for… Continue reading ITV Clinches Annual Viewing Share Over BBC1
Carlton Communications, one of the biggest ITV companies, is to team up with Universal Studios to create two channels to be broadcast on digital terrestrial television.The two channels, rumoured to be one film- and one crime-focused, are to be run on On Digital, formerly British Digital Broadcasting (see Newsline).The film channel will feature material from… Continue reading Carlton and Universal To Run Together In Digital Race
IPC Magazines has appointed Caroline Lowe as head of ad marketing for its Country & Leisure Group.Lowe joins IPC from Haymarket where she was research manager for its consumer group. She is to report to Philippa Stuart, IPC’s marketing director of advertising.IPC Magazines: 0171 261 6575
BSkyB’s digital TV war against On Digital (see Countdown To BSkyB Digital Launch Begins) has led brokers Merrill Lynch to downgrade the satellite broadcaster’s profit forecasts for the next two years.Sky has promised free satellite dish installations to digital customers at a cost of around £80 per subscriber. As a result of this, along with… Continue reading BSkyB Report Downgraded Following Digital Promotions
The European Commission is to draw up a table of national regulations and other controls on discounting practices. This will form the basis of any further proposed action to reinforce single market rules and principles in commercial communications. The table, and an accompanying paper, will seek comments from the Expert Group on Commercial Communications and… Continue reading EU: Expert Group to study premiums
Nigel Griffiths MP, DTI Consumer Affairs Minister, has been replaced by Kim Howells MP in a Government reshuffle that leaves the DTI looking more pro-European and less interventionist in outlook. Whitehall sources suggested that Mr Griffiths had been likely to introduce restrictive controls on advertising in the near future.
