WRITTEN QUESTION E-2049/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Independence of the media

How many journalists does the European Commission enjoy on a freelance basis to write papers, reports, newsletters and other internal and external documents?

How many journalists/magazines/websites are subsidised either directly or indirectly by the Commission?

Will the Commission list all publications that it has a circulation agreement with, that it bulk purchases or that it advertises in (not including job applications)?

Which budget lines are used for the above activities and has any evaluation of this spending been carried out?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 2001)

The Commission, in relation to its manifold activities in Brussels and at a decentralised level, fully respects the independence of the media. Whenever journalists are employed on a freelance basis, they naturally have to comply with the necessary tendering criteria, but they enjoy full journalistic freedom. People who respond to calls for tender usually have a general background in journalism.

In the Directorate general for Press and Communication, the provision of most information is decentralised and freelance journalists are employed according to the specific needs of each Representation but the needs can change according to the priorities of the Commission. These are financed under budget line B3-303.

Under budget line B3-301, one web site is subsidised in France (Sources d'Europe) and another is subsidised in Portugal at the Centre d'Information Européene Jacques Delors. These are managed jointly by the Commission and the relevant governments.

The dissemination of information by individual Directorates General is an important element in increasing public understanding of the Community. The information activity within Directorates general is also indispensable for the good functioning of policies and the Services of the Commission have at their disposal specific budget lines for this purpose. Sometimes this involves using the services of journalists or the use of magazines or websites, but the necessary criteria in relation to their employment are strictly fulfilled.

Under budget line B3-302 (information programmes for non-member countries) the Commission contracts, through tender procedures, services like assistance for the production of news letters, magazines, topical brochures, audio-visual items, websites, etc Most of the contractors either employ directly or sub-contract journalists, ex-journalists and communication specialists for the execution of the assignments they have contractually undertaken.

In relation to advertisements in publications, these are not placed on a regular basis, rather they are linked to specific campaigns, for which funding has been designated. For example, in relation to the euro, under the conventions signed by the Community and the Governments of the 12 Member States, information on the European currency appeared in the press and media.

The recent communication on A new framework for co-operation on activities concerning the information and communication policy of the European Union(1) rightly notes that the new framework for communication and information and the different instruments described in this communication will only achieve their full potential if the effectiveness and relevance of the work carried out is continually reviewed.

(1) COM(2001) 354 final.