Communication by Competition Authorities

Competition authorities devote substantial resources to communication using a variety of means to reach different target audiences (i.e. the business community, lawyers, public policy makers, and consumers). They emphasize the need to deliver clear, consistent and comprehensive messages. Nevertheless, nearly all competition authorities express the view that it is quite difficult to assess the effectiveness of a communication policy. The discussion focused on the need for developing a communication strategy, advocating a competition culture, and using the proper communication instruments, such as video, films, or cartoons. A communication strategy depends a lot on the local culture and legal environment that a competition authority is confronted with. Countries without competition laws or newly adopting such laws must concentrate on different matters than countries having more mature laws. In the former group, the stress must be on building political support for competition law and encouraging the development of a competition culture. This document comprises proceedings in the original languages of a Roundtable Communication by Competition Authorities, which was held by the Competition Committee in October 2002.