"Switched On" Sharon Ensures You Won't Switch Off!

3.11.50pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 13th Dec 2006

Sharon Bowles, the South East's Liberal Democrat MEP, today welcomed the European Parliament's decision to support a more modest and liberal revision of the 'Television Without Frontiers' Directive.

One of the hottest topics was how often adverts could be shown. Some wanted only one set of adverts for each 45 minutes, which UK companies considered a disastrous proposal. Sharon Bowles tabled an amendment keeping this at one set of adverts for every 30 minutes of programming, which won by one vote!

Sharon said: "I am delighted that my amendment won! People often forget that advertising helps finance the production of TV and films. Without it we seriously run the risk of having poor quality, low budget programmes and seeing our home grown production companies heading abroad.

"Together with other useful amendments, this directive has taken a significant step forward in the right direction. The vote cut away most of the deadwood allowing our European media sector to compete on a level platform with its global competitors. The fears that this directive would be buried under red tape have now faded.

As long as the Council of Ministers keeps up with us we will have a directive that is not only workable but welcome!"

Ends