The EU Telecoms Council adopted, without debate, the directive on the protection of personal data transmitted by means of telecommunications, known as the ‘ISDN’ directive. The directive aims to ensure a high level of privacy protection in the face of the growth in digital telecoms networks which has made it possible to introduce new functions,… Continue reading EU: Council Adopts ‘ISDN’ Directive
A new ruling in the German law courts establishes that sending unsolicited e-mail advertising to private consumers is illegal and violates German laws against unfair competition, in particular the regulations concerning dishonest practices. The ruling is in line with previous judgements on unsolicited telephone and fax advertising. In all cases, said the courts, the prior… Continue reading DE: Unsolicited E-mail
The Advertising Association has announced that, following a Council meeting, two new members will be joining the organisation. The Direct Selling Association (DSA) and Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) will become members as from 1 January 1998.…The AA, with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry, has published a revised edition of its… Continue reading Advertising Association News
A survey conducted by Cable & Wireless Communications as part of its £50m launch campaign, has revealed that 88% of respondents would rather have better quality programmes rather than more channels. Over 1.5 million surveys were sent to homes throughout the UK; 323,727 (22%) of these were returned. This is considered by C&W as an… Continue reading People Want Better Programmes, Not More Channels
The European Commission has proposed the compulsory labelling of food made from genetically modified soya beans or maize. This follows on from the Commission’s adoption of the Regulation on labelling of such food, in line with Article 4 of Directive 79/112 EEC, which allows the Commission to introduce particular labelling requirements for specified foodstuffs. As… Continue reading EU: Compulsion Proposed
The ITC and the Broadcasting Standards Commission, together with a group of broadcasters, comprising the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and BSkyB, have published a new analysis of how different viewers regard TV violence.The study, the first of a two-part project, was conducted by Andrew Irving Associates and demonstrates how the nature and content… Continue reading New Research Into TV Violence
Culture Secretary Chris Smith has announced the cultural and audio-visual agenda for the period of the UK Presidency of the EU, starting on 1 January 1998. The UK’s Presidency will feature a seminar of EU Culture and AV ministers in Macclesfield, 17-18 March, an audiovisual conference “Challenges and Opportunities of the Digital Age”, in Birmingham,… Continue reading UK: Government Sets Council Agenda
A proposal for a Directive harmonising aspects of rules on copyright and related rights in the Information Society has been presented by single market commissioner Mario Monti. The proposal would adjust and complement the existing legal framework, with particular emphasis on new products and services containing intellectual property (both on-line and on physical carriers such… Continue reading EU: Copyright Directive Resented
The decision by the EU to introduce a Directive to phase out tobacco advertising and sponsorship by 2006 against objections from Germany and Austria – has so angered the German cigarette industry that it plans to take legal action against the ban, even if the German government does not. According to Ludger Staby, chief executive… Continue reading DE: German Opposition Grows
Evelyn Prouvost-Berry, president of Marie Claire International, has been awarded the IPD Publishing Award for an individual “whose achievements considerably improved the international press scene.”At the International Press Awards, held in London, there were also awards for Katie Breen, editor in chief of Marie Claire’s International Editions, who won the Gold Award for Best International… Continue reading Marie Claire President Wins Award
