Journalists in unsexy Europe – Discussion about politics and communication in the EU

The question how Europe should be communicated to citizens shows a clash between politicians and journalists. Is it the journalists’ task to communicate the EU? In a panel discussion during the European Youth Media Days, Katerina Batzeli, Chairwoman of the European Parliament Commitee on Culture and Education, suggested a special education for journalists who tackle European issues, and a co-operation with them. Her colleague Manolis Mavrommatis, Vice-Chairman of the Commitee, regretted a negative spin in reporting about the European Union and wanted the young journalists in the hemicycle to give a more positive message over. Both highlighted the European Parliaments efforts to establish freedom of press, mentioning a report supporting media pluralism that the EP passed recently.

The journalists joining the panel did not agree. “It is not about journalists to be pro-European or eurosceptic”, Lorenzo Consoli, President of the International Press Association, insisted. It was not the journalist’s role to take a stance, but to be there where the power is and to explain the things the best way possible, even if they are complicated. Furthermore, Consoli stated, that it is absolutely necessary “to have journalists that work according to the criteria of our profession”. Often that was not the case. What national government sources express, too often was taken for granted. But according to Consoli this information is not always relevant because national Governments just follow their own interests. For him a solution for this problem is to rely more on European sources and always to verify them. “Tents of manipulation not only happen in Russia, but also in Europe”, he said.

Tomas Miglierina, a TV correspondent from Switzerland, stated that although the European Parliament had less power than the Council and the Commission, the European Parliament was not an unimportant and boring institution: “The debates are sometimes very interesting, there are a lot of interesting people expressing their different oppinions.”

Letizia Gambini, board member of the European Youth Press, found a short formula to her view on the communication process: “If Europe wants to be sexy, it has to take sexy decisions”. Quite afterwards, by acccident it got obvious how difficult communication in the European Union can be for quite simple reasons. When Katerina Batzeli started answering a question in Greek, there was no interpretation. Because of an technical problem the interpretors did not get the audio signal. Manolis Mavrommatis switched to English. “Break cofffee”, he said.

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