Subsidy for ‘BBC Media Action’
4.11.2013
Question for written answer E-012442-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Lucas Hartong (NI)
In 2012, the Commission allocated a total sum of EUR 5 269 083 to ‘BBC Media Action’ in the United Kingdom.
Amongst other things, money was awarded for ‘training’ journalists in European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) countries and countries such as Algeria, Egypt and Belarus.
I have the following questions in this connection:
- 1.Does the Commission believe that, in deciding to grant subsidies to an organisation so closely intertwined with the BBC, it is respecting Article 11(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union?
- 2.Does the Commission agree with the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) that it is not right that a medium should be influenced by the granting of subsidies from all kinds of EU funds? If not, why not? If it does agree, is the Commission therefore prepared to undertake not to award subsidies of this nature in future? If not, why not?
- 3.What subsidy applications from the media are currently before the EU where it can be assumed, on the basis of logic, that the applications in question would disrupt independent news gathering and the freedom and pluralism of the media?
- 4.Is the Commission prepared to respect Article 11(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and thus reject such applications for subsidies?
- 5.Which Dutch media (radio, TV, Internet, etc.) have received subsidies from the EU over the last 5 years, and how much did they receive?
OJ C 86 E, 25/03/2014