EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/118

(2004/C 65 E/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2220/03

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Use of languages in Commission press reports — Midday Express

On Thursday, 19 June 2003, the Commission published a press report (IP/03/866) on its current inquiry into distribution practices involving Pokemon collectible cards and stickers. The report was published in all the official languages of the European Union.

Is the Commission aware that the immediate publication of press reports in all the official languages of the European Union is exceptional and certainly does not exceed 10 % of the total?

Can the Commission indicate the considerations which prompted it to have that specific report translated into all the official languages of the European Union but not others such as the reports on the approval of new BSE tests (19 June 2003), on the Thessaloniki Summit, which was, nevertheless, referred to as a ‘milestone’ in EU relations with the western Balkans (18 June 2003), on the invitation to all citizens of the Union to contribute to the debate on the adaptation of the ‘Television without Frontiers’ Directive (18 June 2003), on a European Code against Cancer, which recommended the adoption of healthier lifestyles (17 June 2003), and on optimum conditions for the long-distance transport of cattle (17 June 2003)?

When it published the report about Pokemon stickers, was the Commission thinking primarily about the media impact that it would have?

Does the Commission rate the social relevance of an inquiry into the distribution of Pokemon stickers higher than, for example, information for European Union citizens that the adoption of certain lifestyles will prevent cancer, and is that the reason why it published the former report in all the official languages?

If that is not the case, will it, therefore, henceforth translate all press reports which are of relevance to all European Union citizens into all the official languages of the European Union so that all European Union citizens may receive information in their own language not only about the possible unfair pricing of Pokemon stickers but also about other at least equally relevant European and social themes? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer it gave to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-1972/03 (1).

Press releases issued by the Spokesman Service of the Commission are of course available to citizens, other institutions of the Union, businesses, governments and non-governmental organisations. However, press releases are designed to facilitate a rapid flow of information to the public primarily through the media. The practice applied by the Spokesman Service is, therefore, designed to facilitate the flow of information towards the journalists. Given that the purpose of a press release is to inform different target audiences through the media, the Spokesman Service of the Commission applies the system flexibly, taking into account the need to put out press releases quickly.

Press releases referring to Commission decisions are translated into all official languages. In exceptional circumstances, if the measure concerned has been adopted at a very short delay, a press release may be released in either English or French only. In these cases translations into other languages are provided as quickly as possible.

On other issues, press releases are translated into the languages used in the press room of the Commission (English and French) plus the language of the country concerned.

These practices have the agreement of the International Press Association.

The Commission would also like to refer the Honourable Member to the other instruments that it uses to provide information to the general public (Internet sites, publications, etc), which are available in all official languages.

(1) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2004, p. 169.