HL Deb 26 November 1997 vol 583 c119WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask the European Commission to take steps to ensure that satellite television transmissions from member states, including stations licensed by the United Kingdom Independent Television Commission, are not jammed by third parties, thus negating freedom of expression and information, and trans-national communication.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Freedom of reception is a central principle of international agreements on broadcasting. Article 2a of the EC Broadcasting Directive (97/36/EC) requires member states of the European Union to ensure freedom of reception of television broadcasts from other member states. The European Commission already monitors the implementation of the directive by member states, but has no locus in respect of third parties outside the European Union.

The Council of Europe Convention on Transfrontier Television has a similar provision. Article 4 requires states which are party to the convention to ensure freedom of expression and information in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and to ensure freedom of reception on their territories of programme services which comply with the terms of the convention. Articles 24 and 25 contain provisions on alleged violations of the convention and the settlement of disputes between parties.