The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has published its official position on the upcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA). This legislation, which will define access to digital services and media in Europe in the coming years, is now the subject of discussions between the European Commission, Parliament, and the Council of the EU. The EBU emphasizes in the document that media are key drivers of demand for quality network connectivity, and therefore the interests of viewers and listeners must be protected under the new rules.
One of the union's main demands is the preservation of direct access to radio broadcasting in cars. According to the EBU, it is essential to guarantee the availability of analogue and digital terrestrial radio without the need for intermediaries. Such a solution reduces the risk of information blocking or diversion and serves as a key communication channel for the public in crisis situations.
A critical point of the statement is also the protection of network neutrality, which the EBU considers a cornerstone of a democratic online environment.
“The Digital Networks Act has the potential to foster a more connected and resilient Europe, but certain red lines must not be crossed,”
said Vincent Sneed, EBU Senior Advisor for EU Policy. According to him, there is no evidence of market failure that would require intervention in network neutrality, and its implementation should continue to be overseen by the independent body BEREC.
The EBU further opposes hidden network access fees. Although the current DNA proposal does not introduce direct fees, the union warns against the proposed conciliation mechanism. According to its experts, this could put undue pressure on content providers to financially contribute to network operators for their operations, which could threaten the economic stability of media houses.
In the area of technical management, the union calls for the preservation of broadcasters' access to radio spectrum. This spectrum is used not only for signal transmission itself but also for wireless production tools (PMSE) essential for cultural and public events. The DNA should respect national competencies in the management of these frequencies and the specific needs of the broadcasting sector.
Last but not least, the EBU demands guaranteed access to services of general interest. This includes preserving the must-carry principle, access to electronic program guides (EPG), and open application programming interfaces (APIs). In the upcoming phases of the legislative process, the EBU intends to actively lobby EU lawmakers to protect these priorities on behalf of public service media.