Avis du 3 avril 2007 sur le projet de décret portant modification des cahiers des charges de France 2, France 3 et France 5
The French Superior Audiovisual Council (Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel) has been asked to give its opinion, pursuant to article 48 of law no. 86-1067 of September 30, 1986 on freedom of communication, on a draft decree amending the specifications of France 2, France 3 and France 5, and has made the following observations:
1. Schemes relating to the programming of lyrical, choreographic and dramatic performances
The Conseil is delighted that the draft decree introduces provisions into the schedules of France 2 and France 3 aimed at encouraging greater exposure of dramatic, lyrical and choreographic performances, a principle to which it has always summoned its support, while allowing the channels to retain their programming freedom, a principle to which the Conseil is also committed.
The Conseil notes with interest the broadening of the scope of this obligation, which responds to a legitimate concern to democratize access to repertory works, while taking into account the specificities of their television diffusion.
However, the Council deplores the fact that the minimum number of points set by the draft decree for compliance with this obligation is so low. Indeed, the 33 shows broadcast by France 2 in 2006 would have enabled it to collect 37 points in the proposed scale; for France 3, the 30 shows broadcast would have corresponded to 58 points. In both cases, the results are well above the 18 points demanded by the draft decree.
This is why the Council would like to see the specifications set a more ambitious points target.
In addition, the Conseil demands that France 4, whose mission statement places performing arts at the heart of its editorial project, be subject to the same obligation, the aim of which is to encourage greater exposure of this type of programming. Indeed, France 4's current programming would already enable it to exceed the 18-point target.
2. Obligations to inform viewers about digital television and the switch-off of analog terrestrial diffusion
The Conseil is pleased to note that France 2, France 3 and France 5 have included an obligation to broadcast information on digital television and on the future switch-off of analog terrestrial broadcasting.
3. Obligation for France 5 to show direct expression programs for trade unions.
The Council is pleased to note that this obligation, which was overlooked in a previous amendment, is now included in the channel's specifications, which will thus be subject to the same scheme as France 2 and France 3.
This notice will be published in the Journal officiel de la République française.