Arcom comics

What is Arcom?

Hello ! I'm Arcom, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication. Today, I'm going to tell my story...

In 2021, developments in the media and digital sector have led to the need for a a regulator with strengthening missions.

As a result, the French Superior Audiovisual Council (French Superior Audiovisual Council) and the High Authority for the distribution and protection of intellectual property on the internet (Hadopi) merged.

That's how I came into being, on January 1, 2022! I'm the Frenchregulatory authority for audiovisual and digitalcommunication.

You might be asking yourself how I work ?

I'm an independent authority. My role is to regulate the audiovisual media and supervise the action of online platforms, for an internet plus.

I'm made up ofa college of 9 members : 1 president and 8 advisors 10 departments (around 370 employees) 1 general secretariat for territories 16 territorial delegations.

Now let me present to you the many missions that the law has entrusted me with.

Allocating diffusion frequencies to television and radioservices .

I manage the diffusion channels summonsed to the audiovisuel. These are the airwaves used
for DTT, FM and DAB+radio diffusion .

Protecting and supporting audiences in the face of major societal challenges.

In particular, I strive to protect persons under 18 from exposure to shocking content , to respect women' s rights , to fight discrimination and to respect the plurality of thought and opinion!
You can also alert me if you feel that a media sequence is problematic.

Protecting creation and sports-related contdnt on the Internet.

I fight tackle agains online piracy of cultural and sports-relatedcontdnt and encourage
the development of legal supplies in these areas.

Supporting audiovisuel, cinematic and musicalproduction.

I make sure that audiovisualmedia and on-demand video media servicesare properly funded .

Oversee the activities of online platforms.

I'm in charge of digitalregulation . I make sure that the means put in place by platforms make the internet safer.

Now you know me a little better!

Arcom's actions.

Freedom of expression and its limits.

Hello !I'm Arcom, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication .

Today, I'm going to explain what freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of thepress are .
and what I do to guarantee these freedoms.

What is freedom of expression?

Freedom of expressionis the right to freely express one's opinions. This right is fundamental to our democracy.

But this right is not unlimited. It is regulated by law (at French, European and international level ) to prevent abuses such as incitement to hatred, discrimination or violence.

What is freedom of communication?

Freedom of communication allows everyone to receive, share and access information information via television, radio or the Internet. This freedom is also protected by law, but it must abide by strict rules to guarantee high-quality, pluralistinformation that respects the rights and freedoms of all. plurality and respect for the rights and freedoms of all. rights and freedoms.

My role with audiovisuel players.

I ensure that TV channels and radio stations show information freely and independently. I also ensure that they respect fundamental principles such as :

• Respect for human dignity
• Protection of public order
• Independence of information
• Impartiality and honesty
• Rigor

In 2023, a European European regulation (RSN) was adopted to make
social networks (e.g. YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, etc.) to enable the construction of a safer internet.

My role with digital players

The major platforms must respect a certain number of obligations, including among them :

The implementation of accessible and effective reporting tools.

Evidence of transparency in contentmoderation and the use of algorithms.

Failure to complymay result in financial sanctions (up to 6% of the platform's worldwide sales ).

What should you do if you come across comments, images or videos inciting violence, hatred or discrimination?

• Use the online platforms' reporting schemes to demand the removal of the content!
• Contact trusted flaggers in case of emergency.
• Report this content on the Pharos platform.
• Lodge a complaint if you are a victim, as private matters, even if they take place online, fall within the competence of the police or gendarmerie.

Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself against information manipulation when you seek information online:

• Be aware of your cognitive biases, which affect the way you receive information.
• Always question the source of the information you browse.
• Check the date, author, image and URL of the content you are viewing.
• Be extra vigilant in the face of shocking or unusual content.

Arcom's actions

Gender equality

Hello ! I'm Arcom, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication. Today, I'm going to tell you about the actions I'm taking to promote equality between women and men.

The issue of equality between women and men is not new, and you've probably noticed that its media coverage has increased in recent years (#metoo, #InégalitéSalariale, #ViolencesSexuellesSexistes, etc.).

So it's interesting to see how this subject is treated in the audiovisual media, which play a major role in our perception of society and its cohesion!

That's why the law has given me responsibility for equality between women and men, and why it has also laid down obligations for TV and radio channels!

So I'm fighting against stereotyping, sexist prejudice, degrading images and violence against women. I also monitor the image of women in television advertising.

To carry out these missions, I have two modes of action:

• Control,
• An incentivizing action.

Let's start with my control action: as soon as problematic images or comments about women are shown, I examine the footage and intervene with the channels if a breach is observed.

Depending on the seriousness of the breach, I intervene in different ways: by sending a letter reminding them of the regulations, issuing a formal notice, imposing financial sanctions, etc.

Now let's move on to my incentive action: a little less well known, but just as important!

I carry out studies on the subject, talk to TV and radio channels and associations, and draw up and sign commitment charters!

To encourage more egalitarian representations.

Did you know? In my latest study on the representation of women on the airwaves (in 2022), I observed that their share had increased, reaching 44% for the first time!

This is progress, but I also noticed that their speaking time had stagnated at 36%... So we have to keep up our efforts to achieve a fairer representation of women and men!

Arcom's actions

Protecting creativity

1/ royalties

Hello ! I'm from Arcom, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication. Today, I'm going to introduce you to the protection of creation on the Internet.

What does creative protection mean?

This expression refers to the rights of the creator of a work (e.g. a piece of music, a drawing, a photo, etc.). These rights may also extend to the producers of this work or to artists (e.g. an actor, a singer, etc.).

Not every creation can be protected. To be protected, it must be original, i.e. it must reflect the author's creativity and be fixed on a material or digital medium.

But what are the creator's rights? Moral rights and economic rights.

Moral rights and their four components:

• The right of authorship (to be recognized as the author of one's work)
• The right of disclosure (to decide whether or not to make the work public)
• The right to integrity (to prevent modifications)
• The right of withdrawal or repentance (to revoke the work from the public).

This moral right is :

• inalienable: it cannot be assigned;
• perpetual: it has no end in time;
• imprescriptible: it cannot be terminated by law.

Economic rights

Economic rights enable an author to be remunerated and to decide how his or her work is exploited. The author can assign his or her rights to someone else, such as a producer, who then becomes the "rights holder".

• Reproduction rights (i.e. the right to make copies of a work)
• Performance rights (i.e. the right to show the work to the public)
• 70 years after the author's death, his or her works can be used freely (as long as moral rights are respected).

On the Internet, the rules are the same!

When you make a video, you too can decide to show it on a video-sharing platform (such as YouTube) or on a social network. It's an audiovisual work protected by copyright, of which you are the creator.

What happens if these rights are violated?

Using a work without authorization (e.g. making a film available on YouTube, downloading a film, etc.) is piracy. Any author can assert his or her rights to protect his or her work, or even prohibit its use.

And why do people say that piracy harms creation?

Protecting creation enables authors, artists and producers to be remunerated for their work. So they can continue to make new works!

In France, piracy is dropping thanks to the many actions taken by Arcom (e.g., taking part in the shutdown of illegal sites).

The Authority also runs awareness raising initiatives against piracy, such as the "Merci!" campaign created with the CNC in 2023.