Our vision

OUR VISION FOR 2019-2024 – Connecting creative and cultural sectors

1. SUPPORTING EUROPE’S ECONOMY AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

7.5% of Europe’s active population work in the cultural and creative industries, which represents 12 million jobs.[1] Overall, the creative industries contribute to 6.9% of EU GDP.[2] In 2015, 80% of people working in the cultural sec- tors were part of a small or medium-sized enterprise as a vast majority of our sectors are made of SMEs.[3] Founded on various business models, our industries are the backbone of cultural diversity’s preservation and promotion in the EU. We invest in creative projects, help develop talent and produce diverse artistic and media works, which are promoted and distributed through a wide range of consumer-friendly platforms and services across member states. In an EU of 24 official languages – we edit, curate, adapt and promote creative works separately for many diverse audiences.

[1]Boosting the competitiveness of cultural and creative industries for growth and jobs”, DG GROW – Austrian Institute for SME Research and VVA Europe

[2] “Intellectual property rights intensive industries and economic performance in the European Union”, EPO, EUIPO, 2016    3 Culture statistics – cultural enterprises, Eurostat, 2018

[3] Culture statistics – cultural enterprises, Eurostat, 2018

2. FULLY DIGITAL AND INNOVATIVE SECTORS

Creative industries are among the most innovative and digitalised sectors in Europe. Technology and creativity go hand in hand. From online streaming, digital cinema screens to improving user experience through artificial intelligence, our desire to deliver better costumised content and services to European consumers drives to constantly innovate. The EU’s dynamic and flourishing creative sectors are a central component for any digital economy to prosper. We support a balanced online ecosystem for the different players, one that encourages creators to develop their ideas and incentivises producers to invest in and promote original projects. Access to funds such as Creative Europe and Horizon Europe are also vital for creative industries to thrive and invest in innovative tools.

3. REMAINING COMPETITIVE WITH A SKILLED AND TALENTED MANPOWER

According to the 2016 Industry-level Analysis Report by the European Patent Office and EU Intellectual Property Office, the EU had a trade surplus of €96 billion with the rest of the world in IPR-intensive industries. Moreover, investing in digital and computational skills is vital for Europe’s creative industries to keep its competitive edge at global level. We support European initiatives that ensure European workforce have the right tools and skills so we can keep creating and offering tailored content for consumers. IPR infringement limits the positive impact European creative industries have on economic growth, job creation and investment in the creative process and we urge EU decision makers to support us in better enforcing IP rights.

4. TAILORING CONTENT FOR DIVERSE AUDIENCES

Territorial exclusivity is essential for investment in the development, creation, production, marketing and distribution    of films and audio-visual content. It also allows us to tailor offers of film and audio-visual content for a wide diversity of consumer preferences and varying purchasing powers across Europe. Ending territorial exclusivity would threaten cultural diversity and diminish the value of European works. Producers would face more restrictions, resulting in fewer jobs and growth opportunities, as well as fewer opportunities for financing creative content. It would risk undermining the EU’s long history of measures to promote cultural diversity, as national distributors, broadcasters and cinema operators will not have the same financial abilities to curate content for the needs of the local market.

5. SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST ONLINE DISINFORMATION THROUGH MEDIA LITERACY & DIGITAL SKILLS

The extensive spread of disinformation campaigns is a major concern for Europe. 83% of Europeans think online dis- information is a threat to European societies and democracies.[4] Meanwhile, a large majority of Europeans continue to support television, radio and newspapers as sources of quality and trustworthy news. Investing in media literacy and digital skills ensures citizens are more conscious of what they read and the services they use to access news. In parallel, European institutions should develop regulatory mechanisms to ensure online platforms provide greater transparency on the measures and investments made towards combatting online disinformation; thereby recognising that self-regulation is only appropriate where appropriate transparency measures are already in place. The current Code of Practice on Disinformation falls short of this objective. Europe needs to step up to the challenge or risk a fragmented approach.

[4] Eurobarometer on Fake News and Online Disinformation, European Commission, January 2018

6. COPYRIGHT SAFEGUARDS CULTURE

IP-related industries are a pillar of the European economy. We need strong IP protection to maintain growth of the cultural and creative sectors. Copyright supports not only well known and established creators and businesses, but also emerging and lesser known authors, entrepreneurs and commentators. Millions of cultural and creative workers from across the EU are behind the films, music, photographs, video games, TV programmes, football games, and books we all enjoy – ranging from writers, screenwriters, directors and producers to technicians and publishers, to name but a few. Copyright ensures that we can continue working and doing what we do best.