WRITTEN QUESTION E-1123/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. RAI and political pluralism.
Date: 2001-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Italy, fund (EU), public sector, television

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/175

The EU must condemn these decisions of the Namibian government, call for their immediate reversal and
take action to ensure that the fundamental rights of the citizens of Namibia, including their rights of sexual
preference, are respected in full.

In view of the fact that Namibia is a signatory of the Cotonou Agreement and given the Agreement(cid:146)s
provisions concerning respect by the parties for democratic principles and human rights, can the Council
state what urgent action it intends to take to oppose these decisions by the Namibian government and
demand their immediate reversal?

Reply

(16 July 2001)

In reply to the question raised by the Honourable Parliamentarian, the Council can inform him that the EU
has instructed the local Presidency representative to carry out a demarche in Windhoek stating the EU(cid:146)s
concern about threats and verbal attacks against minorities in Namibia. The EU finds such official
statements against minorities,
inter alia against homosexuals, unacceptable and takes them to indicate
worrying signs of intolerance.

The EU finds that these statements and actions contrast with the politics of reconciliation, tolerance,
harmony and unity in diversity adopted by the Government of Namibia after independence and
encourages the Government of Namibia to maintain its respect of human rights.

The EU considers that the offensive statements against minorities in the country damage confidence in
Namibia(cid:146)s future and undermine the Government(cid:146)s laudable efforts to attract foreign investment, develop
the tourist industry and improve the living standards of the Namibian people.

The content of this demarche may subsequently be issued as an EU declaration and once the reactions of
the Namibian government to the demarche are known, the EU will revert to the matter if necessary.

The Council has also taken note of the resolution adopted by the European Parliament at its session on
5 April 2001 in Strasbourg on the rights of homosexual persons in Namibia, which the European
Parliament intends to transmit to the government of Namibia.

(2001/C 340 E/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1123/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(6 April 2001)

Subject: RAI and political pluralism

It is a well-known fact that RAI (Radio Televisione Italiana, the Italian radio and television channel) is an
undertaking which has been granted a concession to operate a national public utility. In order to receive its
broadcasts, citizens have to pay a subscription fee. This is not RAI(cid:146)s only source of funds; it also receives
a substantial sum in advertising receipts. However, no distinction is made, as required by the Community
rules, between the advertising revenue and that derived from the subscription fee, which is a state tax.

In view of RAI(cid:146)s position as a public utility, can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Has this undertaking ever, in the course of its history, received Community funds for any reason?

2.

3.

If so, for what purposes were those funds utilised?

If the funds were for the purpose of making programmes, when were those programmes broadcast?
Are programmes still being broadcast?

C 340 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

4. Did these programmes comply, or are they complying, with the principles of political pluralism and

equal rights which RAI must observe?

5.

If not, since these principles have not been observed, and in view of RAI(cid:146)s role as a public utility, does
the Commission not believe that it should take appropriate action?

(2001/C 340 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1244/01

by Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE), Generoso Andria (PPE-DE),
Renato Brunetta (PPE-DE), Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Marcello Dell(cid:146)Utri (PPE-DE),
Giuseppe Gargani (PPE-DE), Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE), Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE),
Giuseppe Nistic(cid:242) (PPE-DE), Guido Podest(cid:224) (PPE-DE), Amalia Sartori (PPE-DE)
and Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 April 2001)

Subject: RAI (Italian Radio and Television Company)

Would the Commission and its President answer the following questions:

(cid:129) in the course of its existence, has the Italian Radio and Television Company ever received any kind of

funding from the Commission?

(cid:129) has such funding been used for the purpose of broadcasting programmes or information bulletins?

(cid:129) have such programmes and bulletins been broadcast and, if so, when?

(cid:129) did such programmes and bulletins observe the principles which govern RAI

in its capacity as

a company responsible for providing a major public service?

(cid:129) if the principles which RAI is supposed to uphold have been contravened, should the Commission not

suspend any funding which it may be supplying?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1123/01 and E-1244/01
given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2001)

The main Community programme in the audiovisual sector is the MEDIA Plus programme, which entered
into force on 1 January 2001. This programme follows on from the MEDIA and MEDIA II programmes,
which were implemented between 1991 and 2000.

For these programmes, Community funding is awarded solely to independent producers and distributors,
and the concept of independence is assessed in view of the tendering or receiving company(cid:146)s possible links
with a public or private broadcasting company.

Broadcasting companies, whether public or private, are not eligible for Community support under the
MEDIA programmes. RAI has not, therefore, received any Community funding in this area.

(2001/C 340 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1128/01

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 April 2001)

Subject: Lobbying for an EU superstate

It has been alleged that the American Committee for a United Europe made US Administration funds
available to organisations campaigning for European integration.

In its answer to Written Question E-3127/00 (1), the Council failed to reply to part of the question relating
to its files. Will it now answer whether it is in possession of any documents relating to this issue?