EUROPEAN MEDIA GOVERNANCE : ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN RADIOS (AER)

The Association of European Radios (AER) is a Europe-wide trade body representing the interests of over 4,500 private/commercial radio stations across the EU27 and in Switzerland.

AER’s main objective is to develop and improve the most suitable framework for private commercial radio activity. AER constantly follows EU actions in the fields of media, telecommunications and private radio transmission, in order to contribute, enrich and develop the radio sector.

A further task of the association is to provide its Members with information about policy developments affecting the commercial radio sector. AER plays an essential role in encouraging co-operation among its members and with other European radio stations and associations, in order to preserve and develop freedom of speech, freedom of enterprise, private initiative and the protection of listeners.

Furthermore, AER promotes the development and use of new technologies in radio transmission i.e. the digitization process.

Key Issues

• Advertising
• Audiovisual
• Consumer Protection
• Copyright/Content online
• Electronic Communications
• Information Society
• Private versus Public Broadcasters
• Spectrum Policy
• Services/Internal Market

 Cooperation with other associations

 Issues such as advertising and reform of copyright affect a large number of stakeholders and AER works in partnership with other industry associations. It has developed close links with egta (Association of European Television and Radio Sales Houses), ACT (its counterpart in commercial television), the European Publishers Council (EPC), and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), defending the interests of the Public Services Broadcasters).

In addition, AER is a member of several industry associations such as the World DMB Forum, Advertising Information Group (AIG), European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA, European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA). AER is also a partner in Radiodays Europe and Future Media Lab.

AER is an observer in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and also part of the Copyright Users’ Platform (CUP), the platform representing and highlighting the interests of copyright users.

AER sees membership in these industry associations as key to its lobbying and communications strategy. In pooling its resources with other stakeholders, AER is able to present a united front on many issues. A number of the association’s policy papers and lobbying activities have come as the result of close cooperation with partner organizations.