Why we need European cultural policies: the impact of EU ...

Maastricht TreatyIt was in this treaty, which was adopted in 1992 and came into force in 1993, that culture wasfirst explicitly addressed – in Article 128.MEDIAThis is a European Union programme which aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the Europeanaudiovisual industry. It is now in its third phase. It supports professional training, development ofproduction companies and helps with distribution and promotion of audiovisual products.PHAREThe PHARE programme was the EU’s first effort to help the post-socialist countries makethe transition to multi-party democracies. It has helped ensure that these countries have theadministrative capacities to meet the rights and obligations of EU membership. It also providessupport for infrastructure projects, ranging from huge transport improvements to supplyingmedical equipment.PiracyPiracy involves the infringement of copyrights by unauthorized reproduction or use ofsomething – it could be computer software, CDs, music on the internet, and so on. It usuallyinvolves large-scale or commercial distribution or sale of illegal copies of works. (See copyright.)Post-socialist countriesThis term is sometimes used to describe post-socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.Some of them became members of the EU in 2004, while some are either candidate countries orapplying to become members.Structural fundsThe EU has had four structural funds, which it has been using to help improve economic andsocial problems. Culture has benefited from use of structural funds. At the time of writing thesefunds are being reorganized – some are merging.SubsidiaritySubsidiarity is the principle that decisions should always be taken at the lowest possible level orclosest to where they will have their effect, for example in a local area rather than nationally. Seealso footnote 5.Television without frontiersThe Television without frontiers directive created a legal framework which made it possiblefor European-made television programmes to be freely shown throughout the EU. It was passedin 1989 and updated in 1997. It may be updated again to take account of developments indigital broadcasting.114Annex 4 Glossary