Foreword

The Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel's membership was partially renewed on 24 January 2013.  As Michel Boyon's successor, it is incumbent on me to introduce the CSA's 2012 public report, as adopted on 7 May 2013 at plenary meeting.  The format departs from that of previous editions in several respects.

Upon installation, the new Conseil embarked on new endeavours, and sought to further analysis on key broadcasting regulation issues.  Immediately including them in the report only seemed useful.  The report thus provides a summary of 2012, together with initial perspectives and areas of action identified in 2013.

The 2012 report is also different in that it contains a list of proposals.  This feature had been missing for many years.  While the law of 30 September 1986 does not require the CSA to suggest to public authorities possible changes to laws or regulations to reflect technological, economic, societal, or cultural changes in the broadcasting industry, it provides incentives for it do to so.  Thanks to hindsight from last year, and stock taken at early plenary meetings, the Conseil has identified several legislative changes it deems necessary.  Therefore, in this report, I should like to tell you about last year's events and prospects for the future.

Media pluralism and convergence of communication means were the main focuses of the CSA's action in 2012.  These two multi-facetted issues translated into many challenges:

That of pluralism of political opinions expressed when monitoring presidential and general elections; that of pluralism in relation to broadcasting operators when monitoring and regulating large mergers and acquisitions in pay as well as in national free-to-air television; finally, that of cultural pluralism when six new national free-to-air high definition channels were launched.

Communication technology convergence and key associated challenges, such as media access and usage, also had a significant impact on the CSA's action in 2012.  The development of connected TVs was the subject of an extensive study, following a year of consultation, which confirmed France as one of the first countries to broach the issue.  The Conseil also clarified rules regarding the mention in broadcasts of social networks, and called attention to challenges posed to child protection by online broadcasting.  On a wider scope, two reports dealing with the future of broadcasting regulation in the age of convergence were forwarded to Government.

Changes such as these deserve our closest attention.  Their impact on the economics of the broadcasting industry is obvious; they also entail necessary protection of the rights of the public as the main recipient of communication freedom.  For the CSA, new societal, cultural, and economic priorities emerge.

More specifically, I deemed it essential to give new impetus to the CSA's action in favour of equality of rights in our society.  The skills and commitment of two new Board Members in this area will be of great benefit.

I personally pushed for the creation of a "Women's Rights" working group in order to underline the specificity and relevance of this objective in relation to broadcasting.  The group is chaired by Sylvie Pierre-Brossolette.  Possible changes in applicable laws and regulations have already been highlighted.  They are presented in this report in further detail.

I also set up the "Broadcasting and Education" working group, with Mémona Hintermann-Afféjee as Chair, to develop active participation by the whole industry in media education, by which we mean, using the media to educate, as well as, educating about the media.

Finally, given the importance of having access to broadcasting media for community organisations and their advocacy, a new "Community Organisations" taskforce has been installed to foster transparent non-discriminatory access.

However, the broadcasting media's contribution to society's freedom and equality of rights is conditional upon a consistent strategy for dynamic and sustainable economic growth.

This is why I believe the regulator must be given enhanced means when it comes to managing rare resources, so that it would be able to seek a balance between allocating public domain airwaves, keeping freedom of communication in mind, and the best possible use of the same, for the benefit of all.  Legislative amendment proposals to that effect are also included in the report.  The CSA also set up two working groups with a larger remit—the "Digital Television Broadcasting Medium and Technologies; New Services; Internet" working group, and the "Radio" working group—bringing together files formerly scattered among several groups, and thus better inform the Conseil's views on how to foster both, ground-breaking, and sustainable broadcasting services in the future.

Raising awareness to European and international trade will be front and centre when pursuing these objectives, as globalisation of audiovisual communication naturally derives from globalisation of the economy, and of social and cultural trends of expression.  Also front and centre in our endeavours will be the local level, as local audiovisual initiatives—whether on the radio, television, or any other associated services—are paramount for social cohesion and cultural diversity in such a decentralised Republic as ours.

As I steer the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel into this renewed course of action, I would like to pay tribute to Michel Boyon, my predecessor, for the work accomplished under his authority.  I pay equal tribute to Board Members Rachid Arhab and Alain Méar, for the work done under their remit, in particular as regards promotion of diversity.

The Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel, its various directorates and I would also like to pay tribute to the memories of, Jacques Boutet, the CSA's first Chairman, from 1989 to 1995, Sylvie Genevoix, Board Member from 2005 to 2011, who both passed away in 2012; and of Stéphane Hessel, member of the Haute autorité de la communication audiovisuelle from 1982 to 1985, who passed away on 27 February 2013.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Christian Bourdin who was in charge of Internet monitoring at the CSA's directorate for studies and forward-thinking.  He passed away on 7 April 2013.  We shall remember him as a dignified, honest, and fair man.

Through their work, whatever their levels of responsibility, these men and women have made the CSA what it is today, and forged the tradition that makes it capable of rising to the challenges of broadcasting tomorrow.

Olivier Schrameck
Chairman