WRITTEN QUESTION P-0732/00 by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission. Objectivity of information provided by public broadcasters.
Date: 2000-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law, Italy, audiovisual communications policy, dissemination of information, political discrimination, political parties, television

C 330 E/212

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

(2000/C 330 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0732/00

by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

(6 March 2000)

Subject: Objectivity of information provided by public broadcasters

Will the Commission say whether the broadcasts by RAI (Radio Televisione Italiana), particularly the
Telegiornale news programme (TG1) on the station Rai Uno, which fails to respect the rules of parity in
reporting the activities of political parties but gives certain parties special treatment, meet the requirements
of European legislation regarding the reporting and dissemination of news in the multimedia sector?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Community legislation regarding the freedom of movement for services, and, in particular, the provisions
of Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down
by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television
broadcasting activities (1), as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 30 June 1997 (2), does not concern the issue of objectivity and impartiality of political
programmes broadcast by television stations.

(1) OJ L 298, 17.10.1989.
(2) OJ L 202, 30.7.1997.

(2000/C 330 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0734/00

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(6 March 2000)

Subject: Construction of an underground car park in Piazza Lorenzini in Rome

In the Portuense district of Rome, where a building recently collapsed, the local authorities have issued a
permit for the construction of 80 underground garages in Piazza Lorenzini.

The subsoil of the whole area consists of tufa caves and galleries and is particularly unstable, but despite
the collapse of the building it does not seem that the subsoil has been properly analysed or a hydro-
geological inspection carried out. Furthermore, there does not appear to be a need for parking spaces in
the area, since there are already sufficient numbers of them. The work will also mean cutting down some
tall trees several decades old in one of the few green spaces in the district. For all these reasons the
inhabitants are strongly opposed to the project and have spontaneously set up a number of committees.
The Rome city authorities have, moreover, not requested a prior assessment of the project from the XVth
administrative district, which is competent for that area.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether it does not consider that the project is of the kind for which an environmental

impact
in accordance with the provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC (1) and

assessment
subsequent amendments;

is compulsory,

2. whether it does not consider it appropriate to contact the competent national authorities in order to
ascertain whether the project should be carried out, not least in view of the opposition from local
residents?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.