10.7.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 180/5 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 25 June 2007 on the compatibility with Community law of measures taken by Italy pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (2007/475[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordi- nation of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities ('), and in particular Article 3a(2) thereof, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee established pursuant to Article 23a of Directive 89/552/EEC, Whereas: (1) By letter of 10 May 1999, Italy notified to the Commission measures taken on 9 March 1999 pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Directive 89/552/EEC. (2)  The Commission verified, within three months from this notification, whether such measures are compatible with Community law, in particular as regards the pro- portionality of the measures and the transparency of the national consultation procedure. (3) In its examination, the Commission took into con- sideration the available data on the Italian media landscape. (") OJ L 298, 17.10.1989, p. 23. Directive as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 202, 30.7.1997, p. 60). 4 The list of events of major importance for society included in the Italian measures was drawn up in a clear and transparent manner. The Commission was satisfied that the events listed in the ITtalian measures met at least two of the following criteria  considered to be reliable indicators of the importance of events for society: (i) a special general resonance within the Member State, and not simply a significance to those who ordinarily follow the sport or activity concerned; (i) a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance for the population in the Member State, in particular as a catalyst of cultural identity; (i) involvement of the national team in the event concerned in the context of a competition or tournament of inter- national importance; and (iv) the fact that the event has traditionally been broadcast on free television and has commanded large television audiences. A significant number of the events listed in the Italian measures, including the summer and winter Olympic games, the World Cup and the European Championship football matches involving the Italian national team, as well as the finals of these tournaments, fall within the category of events traditionally considered to be of major importance for society, as referred to explicitly in recital 18 of Directive 97/36/EC. These events have a special general resonance in Italy, as they are particularly popular with the general public, not just with those who usually follow sport events. Moreover, they have a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance for the Italian population, given their important contribution to understanding between peoples and the importance of sport for the Italian society as a whole and for the national pride, as they provide the occasion for top Italian sportsmen to succeed in these most important international competitions.