• EN - English
  • LV - latviešu valoda
Parliamentary question - P-003405/2017Parliamentary question
P-003405/2017

A pan-European TV channel in the Russian language

Question for written answer P-003405-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Inese Vaidere (PPE)

In recent years, Russian campaigns to spread disinformation and false news have multiplied within Russia and beyond its borders. These campaigns are targeting democratic European elections as well as Russian-speaking audiences in the EU and its neighbouring countries.

The EU needs to be more agile in its response to these disinformation campaigns. In order to contest fake news, the EU must establish a reliable source of information in the Russian language. A pan-European Russian-language TV channel could offer a balanced content: factual information and along with quality entertainment.

In 2015 I wrote to the Commission regarding the need for a pan-European Russian-language TV channel. Taking into account the ever-increasing volume of disinformation coming from Russia, the need is stronger than ever.

A single country does not have the capacity to counteract the Russian disinformation campaigns, but together the EU can create an effective TV channel.

Does the Commission agree that a pan-European TV channel in Russian needs to be established for the Russian-speaking population?

Does the Commission share the view that it would be more beneficial to establish and fund a quality TV channel, rather than to continue funding the ‘Euronews’ channel, the main shareholder of which is an Egyptian telecommunications executive?