Development of Euronews and further financial support from the EU

30.4.2020

Question for written answer E-002648/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christine Anderson

Euronews was founded as a joint venture by EBU broadcasters. NBC sold its 25% share in Euronews to Media Globe Networks (MGN), owned by the Egyptian businessman Nagib Sawiris, so that MGN now has an 88% holding in Euronews.

What is the Commission’s assessment of the change of ownership structure from joint ownership by European companies to ownership of a significant majority of the shares by an Egyptian entrepreneur?

A discussion in CULT with a Euronews representative did not dispel doubts about the network’s limited relevance. The network receives nearly EUR 24 million from the EU in order, inter alia, to translate its programme into Arabic.

Does the Commission support an extension of the agreement with the network beyond 2021, or could the funding not be put to better use, in view of the financial burden arising from the coronavirus crisis and the limited audience of Euronews?

At the end of October 2015, in the midst of the refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East, Nagib Sawiris offered to buy a Mediterranean island and establish a separate State for refugees there. On Twitter, he explained his plans: ‘Greece or Italy sell me an island, ill call its independence and host the migrants and provide jobs for them building their new country’.

What is the Commission’s assessment of these plans of Sawiris, the majority owner of Euronews?