Considerations on COM(2002)152-2 - Amendment of Decision No 276/1999/EC adopting a multiannual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks

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dossier COM(2002)152-2 - Amendment of Decision No 276/1999/EC adopting a multiannual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet ...
document COM(2002)152 EN
date June 16, 2003
 
(1) Decision No 276/1999/EC(5) was adopted for a period of four years.

(2) In accordance with Article 6(4) of Decision No 276/1999/EC, the Commission has submitted to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the results obtained at the end of two years in implementing the action lines set out in Annex I to that Decision.

(3) The findings of the evaluation formed part of the basic documentation for a workshop on safer use of new online technologies at which leading experts in the field examined the likely future evolution of the issues addressed by the action plan laid down in Decision No 276/1999/EC (hereafter referred to as the action plan) and made recommendations to the Commission.

(4) New online technologies, new users and new usage patterns create new dangers and exacerbate existing dangers at the same time as opening a wealth of new opportunities.

(5) There is a clear need for coordination within the safer Internet field, both on the national and the European level. There should be a large degree of decentralisation using networks of national focal points. The involvement of all the relevant actors, especially a greater number of content providers in the different sectors, should be encouraged. The Commission should act as a facilitator for and contributor to European and global cooperation. Cooperation between the Community and candidate and accession countries should be enhanced.

(6) More time is needed for actions to be implemented to enhance networking, to achieve the objectives of the action plan and to take account of new online technologies.

(7) The financial framework constituting the prime reference for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure should be amended accordingly.

(8) The Commission should be required to present a second report on the results obtained in implementing the action lines after four years and a final report at the end of the action plan.

(9) The list of candidate and accession countries able to participate should be amended by including Malta and Turkey.

(10) The Action Plan should be extended for a further period of two years which should be regarded as a second phase; in order to make specific provision for the second phase, the action lines should be amended, taking account of the experience and the findings of the evaluation report.

(11) Decision 276/1999/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.