EU executive proposes ‘Brussels Broadcasting Corporation’

An EU news agency is one option in a Brussels bid to better “communicate” Europe and to prevent repetitions of last year’s European constitution rejections.

Also on the table could be compulsory rules for public bodies, including media organisations “to ensure that EU communication policy serves the citizens’ interest”.

European commission Vice-President Margot Wallström on Wednesday unveils delayed proposals for a “European communications policy”.

She has been charged with finding ways to get across a positive European message after French and Dutch EU rejections in 2005.

Sometimes charged political issues surrounding the EU and growing Euroscepticism make Wallström’s proposals sensitive.

One option is to set up an EU version of the BBC, or another publicly funded broadcast service, to fill in gaps left by other media coverage.

But EU officials are concerned that a taxpayer funded ‘Brussels Broadcasting Corporation’ could be regarded as propagandist.
 
The idea, floated by Wallström, is “to explore the desirability of having a news agency with editorial independence”.

Such a news provider could, the commission hopes, overcome EU coverage dominated by summits, and the inevitable rows, between Europe’s leaders.

“With over a thousand accredited journalists in Brussels, new energy has been devoted to ensuring that the press are informed of key decisions in real time,” the policy paper seen by EUpolitix notes.

“However, in spite of these efforts, media coverage of European issues remains limited and fragmented.”

“Regular major events such as [summits] do attract coverage in national newspapers, but during the intervening periods there is no comprehensive cover of EU affairs.”

Another option to help shape debate could be a mandatory code of conduct on ‘communication’ for public and media organisations.

Key principles for the charter will be: “inclusiveness” (access), “diversity” (respecting all views) and “participation”.

“The common principles and norms that should guide information and communication activities on European issues could be enshrined in a European [Charter/Code of Conduct] on communication.”

“The aim would be to engage all actors (EU institutions, national, regional and local governments, non-governmental organisations) in a common commitment to respecting these principles and ensure that EU communication policy serves the citizens’ interest.”

“This commitment could be made on a voluntary basis,” states a document seen by this website.

The commission is to consult on the proposals for a communications charter or code of conduct over the next six months.

Wallström may then bring forward concrete measures to national governments at the end of 2006.

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