French Gov't Embraces Music Culture Minister Wants Issues, Problems Studied

This story was prepared by Emmanuel Legrand, editor in chief of Music & Media.
RENNES, France--French Minister of Culture Catherine Trautmann is to create a new commission to review the problems faced by the music community.
According to Trautmann, the establishment of the body marks 'a recognition by the state of today's music' and echoes the situation in the U.K., where the new Labour administration has set up a task force to deal with music industry matters (Billboard, July 26).
The 40-member 'national commission on today's musics' will cover a wide range of topics, from record retail prices and the status of DJs to the development of concert venues and how to provide exposure for new acts.
'This commission will have an important task,' says Trautmann. 'I'm expecting those qualified experts to come up with solutions to some of the problems faced by the music community in fields as diverse as the record business, television, or live music.'
Trautmann says her government's policies concerning the music industry 'will be inspired by the commission.' She expects a first report and proposals during the first quarter of this year, which will allow her to draft a policy for the second half of 1998. 'And I'll discuss with my colleague in charge of the budget the possible evolution in a positive way of the funds allocated to today's music,' the minister says.
Trautmann has asked Alex Duthil, currently director of musicians' training school Studio des Variƒtƒs, to 'make contacts (with experts) in order to set up the commission.' In order to not duplicate existing organizations, the commission members will be chosen for their professionalism and their experience and not as representatives of trade groups or unions, says a source at the Ministry of Culture. 'If the commission wants to know what are the positions of the different organizations, they can ask them,' says the source.
The establishment of the commission is viewed by the music industry as an important first step by France's new socialist government. Before this move, music had not featured on Trautmann's public agenda since she took office after the June election.
'Not bad for a start, considering that they started thinking about it three weeks ago,' says a record company executive. 'But that still doesn't say where the music industry fits into the picture of that new government.'
This view is echoed by Hervƒ Rony, GM of record company body SNEP, who says that since the election of the new government, there has not been 'a recognition of the industry by the minister of culture.' Rony says that SNEP is still awaiting a meeting with Trautmann to discuss the industry's priorities.
'We have the feeling that the commercial aspect of music is not a priority for them,' says Rony, who nevertheless credits Trautmann for having set up the commission. But Rony admits that 'it is hard to judge the outcome of this commission at this stage.'
'It is a good way of doing things in principle,' says Rony, 'but we've had three different ministers during the past five years, and each one has started a 'review of the situation.' The analysis of the situation has been done countless times. There is no need to do it another time if it is not followed by a real policy.
'We are not against the principle, providing it ends up with concrete action which serves the interests of the industry.'

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