On 11 January the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) considered and exchanged views on the Amendments to the Draft Report on “Challenges of sport events’ organisers in the digital environment.”
The Rapporteur of the file – MEP Dzhambazki – said to the Committee: “I am happy with the opinions that have been expressed, and grateful to have collaborated with MEP Frankowski on this very sensitive issue. I can assure you that we are not thinking of creating some new legal rules, nor of re-visiting some topics that were discussed during the previous mandate of Parliament. I am certainly going to continue discussing this issue with all of you and will strive to reach a good compromise.”
In response to MEP Dzhambazki’s remarks, MEP Ros Sempere – speaking on behalf of the Socialist and Democrats – recalled the importance of ensuring safeguards for freedom of expression are within the final report: “We have tabled amendments that will hopefully be supported and taken up by the rapporteur, which relate to the importance of sports in social terms, the importance of fans, the fundamental right to freedom of expression.”
On 26 January the CULT Committee – which is sharing competence on this file – will vote on its Amendments. The News Media Coalition is supporting the inclusion of Amendment 57 which states: “That measures aimed at protecting broadcast rights against illegal use and piracy must not negatively affect press freedom and the news media’s ability to inform citizens.”
TBC when the JURI Committee will vote on the Amendments.
