A couple of years ago, I would have responded to the above headline with a focus on how disturbing and creepy it is. These days, my reaction leans more toward how pathetic and desperate it is. Let’s face it, mainstream media is getting its head kicked in by alternative media, and distrust of centralized political structures and economic organizations is skyrocketing worldwide. This is all great news for the future of humanity, which will be rooted in decentralization.
Dying institutions; however, do not die easily. They will fight like any other entity out there for their survival. If launching a propaganda channel is the EU’s best idea for fighting back against the inevitable trends of our time and the fact that the actual citizens of the Continent cannot stand it, well best of luck. From the Wall Street Journal:
The European Commission is launching its own “independent” news service, complete with editors, web designers and “experts in journalism/journalists.” In its call for tenders, the Commission laments that “reporting on EU affairs is often scarce, irregular, lacks a broader European perspective and citizens do not have any specialized platform where they can find and share quality content on EU affairs.”
Translation: The EU thinks it has a bad reputation not because it does anything wrong, but because the 500-odd reporters who comprise the regular EU press corps are doing a lousy job at fostering “awareness and understanding of EU affairs.” The Commission’s latest opinion poll finds that 57% of European citizens “distrust” EU institutions, while only 30% have a “positive” impression.
By our count, the Commission already employs 122 spokespersons, press officers and media secretaries to talk up its policies, and another 50-odd staffers in its Directorate General for Communications. That department’s €103.7 million annual budget covers funding for the Presseurop clipping service, Euronews television and Euranet radio broadcasts. The EU also boasts its own YouTube channel, several newsletters and even a bookstore, which publishes everything from posters to children’s literature.
Remember this gem? Hammer and sickle anyone?
The successful bidder will receive an annual budget of up to €3.2 million and offer third-party and original content “with a balanced and neutral point of view.”
Sounds an awful lot like “fair and balanced” doesn’t it?
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