"Commission unveils plans for European digital libraries"

According to the Press Room of the European Commission, "The European Commission today unveiled its strategy to make Europe’s written and audiovisual heritage available on the Internet. Turning Europe’s historic and cultural heritage into digital content will make it usable for European citizens for their studies, work or leisure and will give innovators, artists and entrepreneurs the raw material that they need.
The Commission proposes a concerted drive by EU Member States to digitise, preserve, and make this heritage available to all. It presents a first set of actions at European level and invites comments on a series of issues in an online consultation (deadline for replies 20 January 2006). The replies will feed into a proposal for a Recommendation on digitisation and digital preservation, to be presented in June 2006.".

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"Commission proposes rules on communication data retention which are both effective for law enforcement and respectful of rights and business interest

According to the Press Room of the European Commission, "The European Commission has adopted today a proposal for a Directive on the retention of communications traffic data. The proposal provides for an EU-wide harmonisation of the obligations on providers of publicly available electronic communications, or a public telecommunications network, to retain data related to mobile and fixed telephony for a period of one year, and internet communication data, for six month. The proposed Directive would not be applicable to the actual content of the communications. It also includes a provision ensuring that the service or network providers will be reimbursed for the demonstrated additional costs they will have. For its adoption, the proposal requires the approval both of the European Parliament and the Council. The Council is currently discussing an alternative text, a Framework Decision which would allow for data retention of up to 3 years and could be adopted by the Council alone."

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"Commission calls for coordinated action to make information and communication technologies more accessible for citizens"

According to the Press Room of the European Commission, "Coordinated action by EU Member States is needed to make information and communication technologies (ICTs) more accessible to all, and particularly to people with disabilities and some older persons, said the European Commission today. In a Communication on 'Electronic Accessibility' (eAccessibility), adopted today, the Commission calls upon Member States to do more to promote EU e-Accessibility initiatives in a concerted approach and to encourage uptake by industry. Progress will be reviewed two years from now, when additional measures may be proposed, including new legislation if necessary."

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"Keep children safe while browsing the Internet, says Parliament"

According to the Press service of the European Parliament, yesterday, the "Parliament called for action to protect children from inappropriate content on the Internet. In adopting a report from Marielle DE SARNEZ (ALDE, FR) on the protection of minors and human dignity, the right of reply and the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information services industry, MEPs say action is needed from politicians, the industry itself, schools and parents. The report was adopted by an overwhelming majority.
Taking on board suggestions made by Parliament's Committee on Culture Education, the House adopted a range of practical suggestions and considerably amended a Commission proposal for a regulation."
This report is available in full text.

Viviane Reading, again: "i2010 : a new start for Lisbon and for European Information Society and Media policies"

This time, the Press Room of the European Commission has published the Speech "i2010 : a new start for Lisbon and for European Information Society and Media policies" delivered yesterday by Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for the Information Society and Media, at The i2010 Conference, in London.

Viviane Reading: "The Media and Globalisation"

The Press Room of the European Commission has published the Speech "The Media and Globalisation" delivered Yesterday by Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for the Information Society and Media, at the European Forum Alpbach.