Opinion no. 2013-05 of May 14, 2013 on two draft legislation on the independence of public audiovisual media

The French Superior Audiovisual Council has been asked by the government, under article 9 of the law of September 30, 1986, to give its opinion on a draft organic law and a draft ordinary law on the independence of the public audiovisual sector, and has issued a very favorable opinion on both texts.

The Conseil asserts its legitimacy to exercise the responsibilities that the authorities would once again attribute to it with regard to the appointment of the presidents of national program companies. It believes that the Council's appointment of the chairmen of companies in the public audiovisual communication sector strengthens the independence of this sector and the effective implementation of freedom of communication.

The changes proposed by the draft legislation to the legal sanctions proceedings before the French Superior Audiovisual Council, which bring them into line with constitutional requirements and those of the European Court of Human Rights, also meet with the Council's approval. The organizational model based around an independent rapporteur removes the risk of confusion between the functions of prosecution, investigation and verdict.

The present notice will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.

Paris, May 14, 2013.


For the French Superior Audiovisual Council :
Le président,
O. Schrameck