Financing and independence of Euronews during the secessionist process in Catalonia
16.10.2017
Question for written answer E-006511-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE)
The Euronews television channel is following an editorial line similar to the tale created by Catalan separatists to justify the secessionist process initiated by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia. The image used on its Facebook profile is testament to that fact (https://m.facebook.com/es.euronews/).
In February 2017, the Commission signed a new four-year agreement with Euronews which includes an annual grant. Under the agreement, the channel is obligated to provide impartial and independent information and to keep its existing editorial controls.
Parliament already expressed concern in a proposal for a decision (2015/2154(DEC)) that Euronews’ current governance structure does not allow full independence or autonomy from its international shareholders.
Taking into account Euronews’ editorial line on Catalan secession and the Commission’s position (STATEMENT/17/3626), and given that Euronews pursues an aim of general interest for the EU:
- 1.As its main financial contributor, does the Commission know what the channel’s other income sources are?
- 2.If it does, can it publish their names?
- 3.What is its view on the facts described and the way in which the Russian propaganda machine is promoting fake news in an effort to weaken the EU?