EUROPEAN MEDIA GOVERNANCE: EUROPEAN MAGAZINE MEDIA ASSOCIATION (EMMA)

The European Magazine Media Association (EMMA) is a non-profit organization based in Brussels. Its mission is to promote and protect the interests of European magazine publishers vis-à-vis the Institutions of the European Union: the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council. The main aim of EMMA is to ensure a long-term survival and prosperity of a plural, diverse and economically successful magazine publishing industry in the EU.

In this logic, EMMA defends freedom of expression, thus promoting pluralism and diversity, and ensures that Europe’s periodical press industry remains competitive and vibrant. Moreover EMMA supports self-regulatory mechanisms, backed up by an equitable and balanced legal framework. EMMA also consistently points out that the freedom of commercial communication is an integral part of the overall principle of freedom of expression. Commercial communications are the life-blood of the majority of periodical publications.

Currently, EMMA´s membership is composed of 28 National Associations of periodical press publishers and 21 corporate publishing companies in Europe. Altogether EMMA represents over 15.000 publishers (the vast majority being Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) publishing over 50.000 magazine titles throughout Europe.

Emma Issues

 1. Sharing knowledge and insights

1. Revision of Brussels I Regulation (Proposal for a Regulation on the jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial maters (revising Council Regulation (EC) N° 44/2001, the Brussels I Regulation)
2. Revision of Data Protection Directive
3. Net Neutrality Policy
4. E-Commerce Communication
5. Review of Data Retention Directive
6. Communication on an EU approach to collective redress
7. Proposal to amend Directive on the Community Code for medicinal products

 2. Creating quality, trusted content

a. Advertising: bans, restrictions and requirements

I. Revision of car labeling Directive

II. Revision of data protection Directive

III. Proposal for a Directive on Credit Agreements relating to residential property

b. Copyright-related issues

I. Review of copyright law

II. Copyright infringement and review of enforcement Directive

III. Proposal for a Directive on certain permitted uses of orphan works

3. Delivering to consumers on all platforms

a. Upcoming Communication on VAT
b. Revision of Data Protection Directive
c. Competition issues
d. European Contract Law Initiative
e. Consumer Rights Directive Implementation

There are numerous initiatives, both legislative and non-legislative, which are currently under discussion at EU-level, which could have an impact on the delivery of independent and quality, trusted content by Europe’s magazine media to its valued customers on the various platforms now available, including print, iPads and smartphones.