In order to protect minors against the negative effects of pornographic or violent programmes, such programmes, when broadcast, must be preceded by an acoustic warning or identified by the presence of a visual symbol throughout the broadcast.

the operating budget of the audiovisual sector (including services under its own control and outside assistance such as technical services for radio and television stations, provision, production and coproduction of audiovisual programmes, the hiring of lines, the transmission of television and radio programmes, and other measures to develop relations between the institution and audiovisual broadcasting bodies),

The public broadcasters are given the right to broadcast programmes on the public channels by Article 31 of the Media Act, and the Commission considers that the main task of broadcasting programmes is clearly entrusted to the public broadcasters.

1. Notes that the above-mentioned Commission communication on the future of European regulatory audiovisual policy highlights positive results and that the indicators, in all but a few cases, show an increase in the scheduling of European works; notes that the quotas for the broadcasting of European works and works of independent producers have broadly been met; notes that the Commission considers that the objectives of the Directive have been achieved; encourages Member States, however, to strengthen their efforts with regard to broadcasting of European and independently-produced programmes;

The above data relate to the broadcasting of the television channels run by Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) and the channel operated by the satellite broadcaster Regional-TV Services AG.

(7) Whereas the free broadcasting of programmes is further impeded by the current legal uncertainty over whether broadcastsing by a satellite whose signals can be received directly affects the rights in the country of transmission only or in all countries of reception together; whereas, since communications satellites and direct satellites are treated alike for copyright purposes, this legal uncertainty now affects almost all programmes broadcast in the Community by satellite;