IMPALA launches 10-point Digital Action Plan
Independent label representative body IMPALA today launched a 10-point Digital Action Plan which calls for a new European industrial politics to drive the digital market through the cultural and creative sectors.
The organisation has flagged ten problematic areas that the EU should address in order to help the creative industries sector to continue to grow as an important part of Europe’s GDP and as the creator of 7.1 million jobs across the continent.
The ten points outlined are:
1. Reinforcing the rights that drive the digital market and grow Europe's copyright capital
2. Giving citizens the best digital infrastructure in the world
3. Improving pluralism and diversity online as well as offline
4. Revisiting the “rules of engagement” online
5. Growing Europe’s “missing middle” by improving conditions for smaller actors
6. Effectively tackling websites which are structurally infringing
7. Increasing investment through a new financial approach to culture
8. Introducing greater fairness in taxation
9. Mapping how creativity works and measuring the sectors
10. Placing culture and diversity at the heart of Europe’s international work
Helen Smith, the Executive Chair of IMPALA stated: “An industrial policy for culture is a pre-requisite to Europe’s digital economy. This involves reinforcing copyright and clarifying what operators like YouTube can and can’t do. Ensuring a successful digital single market also implies a host of other measures such as promoting diversity in a measurable way and devising a new regulatory, competition, social and fiscal framework for smaller actors.” She also added: "The aim of our Digital Action Plan is to inspire decision-makers, ensure Europe’s position as a global power, and re-engage Europe with its creators and citizens. Our aim is to set new standards to make Europe the best place in the world for artists and other creators and for culture enthusiasts.”
The organisation remarked on the continuing abuses being made by YouTube, specifically referencing to Zoe Keating’s blog from last week which reignited the debate around YouTube Music Key and the conditions being imposed by the Google-owned video giant on independent artists.
These points are seen as paramount towards improving the independent sector's position on the European market, a market that is largely dominated by major label artists as shown by the fact that European radio’s top 50 plays featured only one independent artist.
(Andrea Leonelli)