Investment in “Next Generation” communications infrastructure isn’t usually a topic to get most people’s pulses racing. But the so called “Telecoms Package”, currently going through the European Parliament is proving an exception to the rule!
European Parliament in Brussels
The main thrust of the legislation ensures that competition between different telecoms companies is open and fair across Europe. I need not repeat the need at the moment for member states not to retreat into protectionism – and so this report is most welcome in this context. By furthering competition, prices for consumers can be reduced while at the same time providing all kinds of higher quality and exciting new services. Consumer rights will also be strengthened – including those of disabled users. I’ve been talking to a lot of interest groups and fellow MEPS and it was hard work getting all of these things agreed in the parliament.
You can imagine how I felt when I heard that all of these good things might have been lost because of a disagreement over what has come to called the “Amendment 138″ issue. The basic issue was to what extent the freedom of expression on the internet can be restricted by the state. Of course, I’m all in favour of freedom of expression!! But there have to be limits to this. Child pornographers, terrorists and other criminals should not be able to use the internet to plan their evil deeds while the police have one arm tied behind their back by unncessary laws.
The original proposal of the committee of the European Parliament would have meant that prior approval of a court would be necessary in all cases if someone’s freedom of expression of the internet might be interfered with. The requirement for prior approval just isn’t practical. Of particular concern were the implications for dealing with people engaged in illegal music sharing: should the police not be able to take down the servers of people who are doing this on an industrial scale without prior approval in every case? This might seem particularly over the top when people affected like this can always bring their case to court themselves.
When there is a disagreement between the European Parliament, the European Commission or the European Council (i.e national ministers from every member state) about a text that parliament has passed in an initial committee stage, an attempt is made to settle the differences in a triologue meeting. This is a meeting of all three parties. Sometimes more than one meeting is necessary. For the telecoms package there were very many meetings. I’m very pleased to announce that it looks as though a compromise has been reached on the freedom of expression issue which reiterates the protection of human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and the ability of each nation state to decide how to create procedural mechanisms for the protection of these rights. Now there is a compromise deal on the table, it looks like we can get this legislation through the last voting session in early May.
