Declaration dated December 18, 2006:
"In accordance with Article 19, paragraph 2, of the Convention, France designates the two following authorities:
- the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) – Pursuant to the Law No. 86-1067 of 30 September 1986 on the freedom of communication, the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) "guarantees the exercise of freedom of audiovisual communication concerning radio and television (…), encourages free competition and the establishment of non-discriminatory relations between editors and providers of service, as well as quality and diversity of programmes".
- the Direction du Développement des Médias, under the authority of the Prime Minister (DDM) – Pursuant to the Decree No. 2000-1074 of 3 November 2000, the Direction du Développement des Médias (DDM) defines and implements the government's policy for the development and pluralism of medias and information society services; as such, it elaborates, inter alia, the legislation concerning audiovisual communication; moreover, the DDM takes part in European and international negotiations in relation with the regulation of medias and information society services; in the framework of its functions, it participates to the meetings of the Standing Committee of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television which is responsible for following the application of the Convention."
Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:
"In the same spirit as at the time of the adoption of the Community's "Television without Frontiers" Directive in October 1989, France has decided to sign the Council of Europe's Convention on Transfrontier Television with a view to promoting freedom of information as well as the exchange and production of audiovisual programmes in Europe.
Now that the Audiovisual EUREKA project is beginning to bear fruit, France intends to make every endeavour to ensure that the Convention contributes in a wider geographical framework to the promotion of European programmes and the emergence of a structured and competitive continental market.
This Convention was not designed, and should not be used, to justify projects whose sole purpose is to circumvent national and Community regulations intended to encourage European programming and production.
In committing itself, therefore, France is sure that all the signatory countries to the Convention share the same concerns, as any interpretation or measure contrary to such principles would constitute a serious undermining of the very foundations of the policy of European audiovisual co-operation."