WRITTEN QUESTION E-2049/01 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Independence of the media.
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, communications profession, invitation to tender, self-employed person, work contract

C 81 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

(2002/C 81 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2044/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Athens metro: poor quality construction work and fines

(13 July 2001)

According to the report drawn up by experts from the company Attiko Metro, the Athens metro is being
affected by (cid:145)failings, shortcomings and sloppy workmanship(cid:146). This state of affairs led the Greek Ministry for
the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works to impose a GRD 5,35 billion fine on the
consortium responsible for the construction project. The report states that the shortcomings involve faulty
rolling stock, serious noise pollution, engine problems, premature wearing-out of wheels, a lack of
protection against lightening and insulation problems in certain tunnels and stations, resulting in damp
conditions in many parts of the system.

The EU contributed a significant share of the funding for this project. What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of
the above shortcomings? Were its services aware of them before they were reported by the Greek
authorities? What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of the extension of the metro along the Monastiraki-Aigaleos
line? This line is to be completed within a period of 1 160 calendar days, whilst the contract provides for
only 90 days of excavation work, a period which Greek archaeologists have termed manifestly insufficient
for completion of their work?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2001)

On the basis of information provided by the (cid:145)Attiko Metro(cid:146) company, project manager of the Athens Metro
new lines, and prior to the provisional acceptance of the project,
it has held back from payment to
contractors an amount corresponding to a number of items which are not in full compliance with the
contract provisions. This amount held back is a motivation for the contractor to implement the necessary
corrective actions, in which case payment of the full amount will take place. In case of failure to make the
corrections, this amount will be used to pay for the services of other contractors needed to perform the
repair work.

This is normal good practice followed by the project manager, on the basis of international standards for
the management of big projects of civil, electromechanical and electronic systems.

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, and the decentralised management of European regional
programmes, the Commission is not systematically informed, unless it expressly asks to be, on the
implementation of contracts signed by the Member States for the construction of public works co-financed
by Community funds.

Concerning the Monastiraki-Egaleo extension, Attiko Metro has informed the Commission that since the
Egaleo area represents a major archaeological challenge, investigations had been launched in all stations
and shafts in 1998. This extensive archaelogical investigation programme has been completed in many
locations and is in an advanced stage of completion in others. The 90 days allowance for archaelogy
provided by the tender documents is only to cover any unexpected investigation needs. This allowance
would be extended if needed.

(2002/C 81 E/115)

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?

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/99

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 ((cid:145)Sources d(cid:146)Europe(cid:146)) and another is
subsidised in Portugal at the Centre d(cid:146)Information EuropØene 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
is also
public understanding of the Community. The information activity within Directorates general
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.

line B3-302 (information programmes for non-member countries)

Under budget
the Commission
contracts, through tender procedures, services like assistance for the production of news letters, magazines,
topical brochures, audio-visual items, websites, etc (cid:133) 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 (cid:145)A new framework for co-operation on activities concerning the
information and communication policy of the European Union(cid:146) (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.