EU Lobbying

Harvey Thomas is a Licensed Lobbyist, who presents the interests of Christian Communicators to the European Union (EU), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), and, in case of religious discrimination, to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on behalf of FEB.

He is Chairman, and a Founder Member of the “Fellowship of European Broadcasters”; and the “International Advisory Committee to the NRB”. Harvey received the NRB International Award for “Outstanding Individual Achievement in International Broadcasting” in 2000.

He has unparalleled world-wide knowledge and experience, both with interdenominational Christian Broadcasting and with the Media world as a whole. He has worked extensively with all the major Broadcasting Organisations in Europe, from the BBC to the European Broadcasting Union.

He can offer the following services to Sponsors

  • Lobbying:- Legal and Practical Discussions with appropriate Sectors.
  • Developing Contacts with European and National Broadcasting Companies and Networks.
  • Liaison and negotiation with the European Union and European Parliament.
  • Researching Church, Broadcasting and Technical Developments. Facilitating Liaison and Joint Ventures between American and European Christian Broadcasters (with the EuroNet Database as a resource).

Harvey works in a voluntary capacity and gives generously of his time. If you would like to make a gift towards his expenses please complete a Donation Form. Any gifts given will be used exclusively for this purpose.

If you wish to contact him, please email: feb@feb.org

RECENT EU DEVELOPMENT AND LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

EURALVA Conference Moderator
On behalf of FEB, Harvey moderated the afternoon session of the EURALVA Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland in October. The Conference Theme was “Serving the Citizen: Broadcasting Accountability in an Online Europe”. EURALVA is the European Association of Listeners and Viewers.

EAVI
Participation in the EAVI Conference in Budapest, Hungary from 6-7 December at their invitation and expense. EAVI is the European Association for Viewers Interests – an Organisation promoting Media Literacy Educational programmes. The Conference was held in association with the Visual World Foundation with the theme of “Media Education and the Citizen.” Harvey interviewed Paolo Celot, Secretary General of EAVI, on the Media Education of European citizens, which is a central focus for EAVI.

European “Workshop”
Harvey conducted a Media Seminar and gave Media advice to a small group of people dealing with Ethical issues at the European Union – in conjunction with Care for Europe.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

We have been working extensively to network with various Organisations which are working on “Protection of Children” issues and to link them to each other.

UK’s Safermedia
Harvey met with Miranda Suit and Pippa Smith, Co-Chairmen of Safermedia, an Organisation which has worked closely with Claire Perry MP and Reginald Bailey in an attempt to get legislation introduced which will make it necessary to “opt-in” to undesirable sites

Westminster Forum on “Protecting Children from Commercial and other Adult Pressures”
In October Harvey attended a Seminar which summarised the position that the UK is currently in, following on from the Bailey Review in the summer and was able to ask questions in the Session.

  • EUROISPA
    Meetings with Andrea D’Incecco, Head of Policy at EuroISPA in Brussels in November 2011. EuroISPA works on the cultural and business side of setting standards on the Internet – and particularly with the protection of children and the vulnerable.

    European Union Directives
    The EU has produced a Draft Directive calling for tougher penalties and deletions of web pages, which will require Organisations to remove offensive material or block access. Harvey has discussed the Directive with a number of MEPs and is monitoring the situation as it develops.

    European Union Committees
    Harvey attended the November meeting of the European Union Culture Committee. He has also met with various MEPs including Timothy Kirkhope MEP, focussing on the Protection of Minors on the Internet.