ETS 148 – Regional or Minority Languages, 5.XI.1992 __________________________________________________________________________________ Article 11 – Media 1 The Parties undertake, for the users of the regional or minority languages within the territories in which those languages are spoken, according to the situation of each language, to the extent that the public authorities, directly or indirectly, are competent, have power or play a role in this field, and respecting the principle of the independence and autonomy of the media: a b c i to ensure the creation of at least one radio station and one television channel in the regional or minority languages; or ii to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of at least one radio station and one television channel in the regional or minority languages; or iii to make adequate provision so that broadcasters offer programmes in the regional or minority languages; i to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of at least one radio station in the regional or minority languages; or ii to encourage and/or facilitate the broadcasting of radio programmes in the regional or minority languages on a regular basis; i to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of at least one television channel in the regional or minority languages; or ii to encourage and/or facilitate the broadcasting of television programmes in the regional or minority languages on a regular basis; d to encourage and/or facilitate the production and distribution of audio and audiovisual works in the regional or minority languages; e i to encourage and/or facilitate the creation and/or maintenance of at least one newspaper in the regional or minority languages; or ii to encourage and/or facilitate the publication of newspaper articles in the regional or minority languages on a regular basis; i to cover the additional costs of those media which use regional or minority languages, wherever the law provides for financial assistance in general for the media; or ii to apply existing measures for financial assistance also to audiovisual productions in the regional or minority languages; f g 2 to the extent that radio and television carry out a public service mission: to support the training of journalists and other staff for media using regional or minority languages. The Parties undertake to guarantee freedom of direct reception of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring countries in a language used in identical or similar form to a regional or minority language, and not to oppose the retransmission of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring countries in such a language. They further undertake to ensure that no restrictions will be placed on the freedom of expression and free circulation of information in the written press in a language used in identical or similar form to a regional or minority language. The exercise of the above-mentioned freedoms, since it carries with it 9