Lobbying by VAUNET - Verband Privater Medien e. V.

Der VAUNET Verband Privater Medien bedankt sich für die Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme zu einem Rechtsakt über digitale Netze, kurz: Digital Networks Act oder DNA. Der VAUNET ist der Spitzenverband der privaten audiovisuellen Medien in Deutschland. Zu den vielfältigen Geschäftsfeldern der rund 150 Mitglieder gehören TV-, Radio-, Web- und Streaming-Angebote. Der Wirtschaftsverband hat zum Ziel, auf nationaler wie europäischer Ebene Akzeptanz für die politischen und wirtschaftlichen Anliegen der audiovisuellen Medien zu schaffen sowie die große gesellschaftspolitische und kulturelle Bedeutung der Branche im digitalen Zeitalter ins Bewusstsein zu rücken. Mit dem DNA und der gleichzeitigen Überprüfung des Europäischen Kodex für elektronische Kommunikation (EKEK) und damit verbundenen Rechtsakten stehen Regelungen zur Überprüfung, die eine Grundlage der Verbreitung privater Medienangebote darstellen. Ohne eine verlässliche und hochwertige Infrastruktur zur Übertragung ihrer Inhalte können Medienunternehmen ihrer gesellschaftlichen Aufgabe, durch vertrauenswürdige, professionell journalistisch recherchierte und aufbereitete Informationen zur öffentlichen Meinungsbildung und damit zur Stärkung der Demokratie in Europa beizutragen, nicht nach-kommen. Zentrale Forderungen der privaten Medien für den Digital Networks Act und die Überarbeitung des EKEK 1. Die Beachtung kultureller Aspekte in DNA und EKEK 2. Keine Einführung von network fees oder einer Pflicht zur Verhandlung, die fak-tisch Zahlungspflichten etabliert 3. Konsequenter Ausbau der Interoperabilitätsvorschriften zu Radio in Kraftfahrzeu-gen Wir verweisen auf die anliegende Stellungnahme.

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Response to Guidance on the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/900 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising

25 Jun 2025

VAUNET is the umbrella organization for private audio and audiovisual media companies in Germany and the largest representative body of commercial broadcasting interests in Europe. It represents the interests of around 160 member companies from the TV, radio, web and streaming sectors. We appreciate the opportunity to give feedback to the Call for evidence regarding the guidance to help identify political advertising. Main intention of the common guidance as of Art. 8 (2) should be to clearly distinguish political advertising from public communication: (a) content of the message public communication: if predominantly informative, factual+non-competitive statements + formulations are used, if the content predominantly consists of comprehensive information + various perspectives or aspects, if no unjustified, arbitrary or disparaging statements are used political advertisement: if the content of the message is merely a one-sided presentation of political solutions or demand or the message presents a specific political actor in a good light, if it only draws attention to a certain aspect of a political debate (b) sponsor of the message The sole circumstance of renumeration shouldnot be the determinant factor. Public communication can be sponsored. public communication: if the message is sponsored by any public authority of EU or member state governments (e.g. federal or state ministry) fulfilling their legal obligations political advertisement: if the message is sponsored directly by any political party or political actor who is up for election (c) language used to convey the message public communication: language should not be limited to a neutral reproduction of information, messages can also be inserted into a spot in a way that is media-appropriate + target group-oriented. This includes emotional activation that is commonly used in advertising. political advertisement: a boundary is crossed when no more information (e.g. on measures or similar) is conveyed, i.e. the language used is exclusively image advertising. (d) context in which the message is conveyed, including the period of dissemination public communication: if the statements + messages are required by public at this particular time. The more current a topic is, the greater the societal interest in this information. political advertisement: if the message is conveyed in direct temporal connection with elections (e.g. 6-8 weeks prior to election date), if the message is conveyed with the intention to directly influence the results of an electoral process (e) means by which the message is prepared, placed, promoted, published, delivered or disseminated public communication should also be allowed to address the target group with specific messages. The more fact-based the public communication is (even if this puts the advertiser in a better light), the more likely it is that wording that could potentially be interpreted as advertising is also suited as public communication. (f) target audience public communication should be able to reach different target + age groups in order to inform a large number of people political advertising: if messages are targeted to audiences specifically due to their political views + beliefs (g) objective of the message public communication: if the message is not suitable + not intended to influence the result of an election/referendum, voting behaviour or a legislative or regulatory process, if the government + legislative bodies - in relation to institutional activities - present + explain their policies, measures + plans as well as the issues to be resolved in the future. political advertisement: if the message is conveyed with the intention to directly influence the result of an election/referendum, voting behaviour or a legislative or regulatory process, if the ad mainly aims to influence attitudes, values + behavior of the addressees in the interests of the advertiser.

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Response to A Culture Compass for Europe

28 May 2025

Please find the full joint feedback of VAUNET - German Association of Private Media and the Coalition of Cultural and Creative Industries in Germany (k3d) attached. VAUNET is a member of the k3d open alliance.

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Meeting with Kilian Gross (Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

19 May 2025 · Exchange of views on art. 50 of the AI Act, the notion of ‘deepfake’ and sector-specific labelling practices.

Meeting with Marco Giorello (Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology) and Apple Inc. and

13 Mar 2025 · Code of Conduct on Online Advertising – Workshop 3

Response to Evaluation of the Geo-blocking Regulation

10 Mar 2025

Feedback on: Geo-Blocking Regulation - Evaluation - Please see the attachement for full feedback & concrete reasoning. A. Preliminary remarks VAUNET is the umbrella organisation of private audio and audiovisual media in Germany. The diverse business areas of the approximately 160 members include TV, radio, web and streaming offerings. The trade association aims to create acceptance for the political and economic concerns of the audio and audiovisual media on a national and European level and to raise awareness of the great socio-political and cultural importance of the industry in the digital age. European film and TV content account for 51% of all films and TV broadcasted in the EU in 2023, underlining the significance of the European audiovisual media sector to the European market. B. Key Points We therefore highlight the following position: · The audiovisual sector champions a crucial role in economy and society, providing creative and diverse content. It is necessary to support the sector with regulatory frameworks that enable continuous provision of high-quality content to EU audiences. Therefore, the status of the audiovisual sector regarding the Geo-Blocking Regulation (EU) 2018/302 should be maintained and the audiovisual sector should not be included in the scope of the regulation. This was also the conclusion of the first review in 2020. · Geo-blocking is essential to the audiovisual-media sector, allowing them to cater to the linguistic and cultural diversity of the EU, thus fostering media pluralism and creativity. · Removing this exemption would disable the territorial licensing model, leading to reduced investment, fewer content options, and consequently an increase in prices for consumers in already economically difficult times.

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Meeting with Marco Giorello (Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology) and EuroCommerce and

6 Mar 2025 · Code of Conduct on Online Advertising – Workshop 2

Meeting with Marco Giorello (Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology) and EuroCommerce and

4 Mar 2025 · Code of Conduct on Online Advertising – Workshop 1

Response to Protection of Minors Guidelines

30 Sept 2024

Bei der Ausarbeitung der Leitlinien zur Durchsetzung des Schutzes Minderjähriger im Internet gilt es daher sicherzustellen, dass die von den Medienanbietern (nach AVMD) bereits ergriffenen Maßnahmen nicht durch in der Leitlinie vorgeschlagene Maßnahmen blockiert werden oder angepasst werden müssen.

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Response to How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?

28 Jun 2024

VAUNET - Verband Privater Medien e. V. appreciates the opportunity to comment on the EU Commission's White Paper and respectfully requests that the attached considerations be taken into account in the further consultation process. VAUNET is the German umbrella organization of private media providers. It represents over 160 companies that provide private journalistic and editorial radio, television and streaming services and distribute them via a variety of technical channels. With their offerings, its members enrich Europe's media landscape through diversity, creativity and innovation.

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