COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS of 17 February 1997 on the Green Paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in the audiovisual and information services (97/C 70/03)

After a presentation by the Commission and an exchange of views, the Council welcomes the Green Paper on 'the protection of minors and human dignity in the audiovisual and information services`.

The Council noted the specific importance of these matters linked to the content of the new audiovisual services. It takes note of the complementarity between this Green Paper and the Commission communication on 'illegal and harmful content on the Internet` in accordance with the resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council adopted on 28 November 1996 which notes the need for consideration of both documents in greater detail. The Council also takes note of the timetable presented by the Commission, involving in-depth consultation of interested parties, on the basis of their observations on the Green Paper in the first half of 1997. It requests the Commission, insofar as Community competence is concerned, to follow up work on the Green Paper between now and the next meeting of the Council (audiovisual/culture), including proposing further initiatives if appropriate.