The Parties undertake, for
the users of the regional or minority languages within the territories in
which those languages are spoken, according to the situation of each
language, to the extent that the public authorities, directly or
indirectly, are competent, have power or play a role in this field, and
respecting the principle of the independence and autonomy of the media:
to the extent that
radio and television carry out a public service mission:
to ensure the
creation of at least one radio station and one television channel in the
regional or minority languages; or
to encourage and/or
facilitate the creation of at least one radio station and one television
channel in the regional or minority languages; or
to make adequate
provision so that broadcasters offer programmes in the regional or
minority languages;
to encourage and/or
facilitate the creation of at least one radio station in the regional or
minority languages; or
to encourage and/or
facilitate the broadcasting of radio programmes in the regional or
minority languages on a regular basis;
to encourage and/or
facilitate the creation of at least one television channel in the
regional or minority languages; or
to encourage and/or
facilitate the broadcasting of television programmes in the regional or
minority languages on a regular basis;
to encourage and/or
facilitate the production and distribution of audio and audiovisual works
in the regional or minority languages;
to encourage and/or
facilitate the creation and/or maintenance of at least one newspaper in
the regional or minority languages; or
to encourage and/or
facilitate the publication of newspaper articles in the regional or
minority languages on a regular basis;
to cover the
additional costs of those media which use regional or minority
languages, wherever the law provides for financial assistance in general
for the media; or
to apply existing
measures for financial assistance also to audiovisual productions in the
regional or minority languages;
to support the
training of journalists and other staff for media using regional or
minority languages.
The Parties undertake to
guarantee freedom of direct reception of radio and television broadcasts
from neighbouring countries in a language used in identical or similar
form to a regional or minority language, and not to oppose the
retransmission of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring
countries in such a language. They further undertake to ensure that no
restrictions will be placed on the freedom of expression and free
circulation of information in the written press in a language used in
identical or similar form to a regional or minority language. The exercise
of the above-mentioned freedoms, since it carries with it duties and
responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions,
restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a
democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial
integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for
the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation
or rights of others, for preventing disclosure of information received in
confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the
judiciary.
The Parties undertake to
ensure that the interests of the users of regional or minority languages
are represented or taken into account within such bodies as may be
established in accordance with the law with responsibility for
guaranteeing the freedom and pluralism of the media.
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