MEP accuses commission over 'questionable' press ethics
By Martha Moss - 5th October 2010
From an article on the website www.theparliament.com it appears that the EU spent €8m last year to boost its image and to influence journalists in the member states' media
EFD deputy Anna Rosbach
Danish MEP Anna Rosbach has called the commission to account following revelations on TheParliament.com about the significant sums spent by the EU executive on 'entertaining' journalists.
The EFD deputy used a written question to ask if the commission considers it appropriate "to spend EU taxpayers' money on promoting a project which only 40 per cent of EU citizens support".
"From an article on the website www.theparliament.com it appears that the EU spent €8m last year to boost its image and to influence journalists in the member states' media," she said.
Questioning the "press ethics" of the commission, she said, "Has it considered the fact that eurosceptics - who do not have free and unhindered access to taxpayers' money - receive unfair treatment when it comes to participating in the debate on the EU?"
The commission is obliged to respond in writing to Rosbach's question by mid-November.
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