In keeping with traditions that looked long gone, the French Parliament rose to the challenge of spearheading the fight for shielding the so-called “cultural spectrum” from the ambitions of other sectors, notably the mobile industry. More precisely, the European affairs Committee has just adopted a proposition of European resolution whose single article sounds like an article of faith: faith in DTT as a unique vector of public service; faith in a free-of-charge, universal access to reliable information and quality content: faith in a resilient technology that keeps people together, even in remote areas and in times of crisis. Furthermore, the article pays a rare tribute to PMSE, the all too often unsung frontrunner of European culture, and particularly music, which operates in tandem with broadcasters in the “blank spaces” left in their spectrum.
The language is inevitably full of legal technicalities and references, but the thrust of this legislative step is clear:
- Letting the primary allocation of the 470-694 MHz band to DTT go down the drain in 2031 would be tantamount to sentencing to death a successful technology that is the preferred – occasionally only – access to TV for the French people. The same holds true for PMSE, the inconspicuous frontrunner of European culture, and particularly music.
- DTT ticks all the boxes: reliable, resilient, egalitarian, democratic, sovereignty-friendly.
- Therefore France must take the lead to gather like-minded Member States and fight for preserving the part of the spectrum that has been carrying broadcasting and PMSE – and thus promoting European culture – for decades.
https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/textes/l17b2059_texte-adopte-commission.pdf
It is a rare occurrence for the Parliament to beat the government at their own game. As it happens, the executive branch is expected to present a report on these matters to the National Assembly next month. This schedule notwithstanding, the MPs did it, which speaks volumes about their realizing how urgent the situation is, essentially due to the intricate decision process that involves the EU and the ITU downstream. Some people keep taking the long view and would not let themselves get distracted by warmongers. Culture still has currency left, at least in France.
Lest you would get carried away, this is the first step in a convoluted, time-consuming process that will involve the government and supranational or international organizations. But someone had to kick it off, and it looks only fitting that the representatives of the French people decided to do it.
Those of you interested in how this amazing development happened may want to read the full debate here:
https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/comptes-rendus/due/l17due25260046_compte-rendu#
Jochen Zenthoefer
