The European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (ECCD) express their deep concern about the memorandum signed by the President of the United States on 21 February, which calls into question the European Union’s digital regulations and reopens the investigation into taxes on digital services under Section 301.
This aggressive move, which directly targets fundamental texts such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) and potentially other texts regulating digital technology, constitutes an unacceptable attack on the EU’s regulatory sovereignty.
The accusation that these regulations would hinder ‘freedom of expression’ or constitute ‘extortion’ against American companies is unfounded. It calls into question the efforts to create a fair and transparent environment for all digital players. Moreover, these rules do not target any particular company, as falsely stated, and apply to all companies, US, European or not without discrimination.
These digital regulations are intended to guarantee a balanced framework that respects the fundamental values of the Union, including the promotion of cultural diversity.
From the Audiovisual Media Services Directive to the Copyright Directive and the AI Regulation, the European Union has democratically put in place essential measures namely to:
- Ensure vital local production and diversity of European creative works
- Defend intellectual property
- Ensure a more level playing field for the European creative and cultural sectors in a global market
- Guarantee fair remuneration for creators
In the face of this attempt to apply unjustified pressure, the ECCD calls on the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament to strongly reaffirm their commitment to fair regulations that protect European interests and guarantee the preservation of a dynamic cultural space rich in its diversity. They must refuse to dismantle policies already implemented democratically to achieve cultural diversity and not pre-emptively exclude any new initiative that the development of the digital economy might justify.
At a time when digital technology and artificial intelligence are profoundly transforming the cultural sectors, it is more crucial than ever that Europe remains a space which favours diverse creation and where cultural diversity, and the rights of creators and rights holders are guaranteed.
The ECCD will remain vigilant and mobilised to defend these fundamental principles in the face of deregulation attempts and external pressures.