Accountability of EU funding to Euronews
16.2.2017
Question for written answer P-001066-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Alfred Sant (S&D)
Since 2011, Euronews has received between EUR 26 and 29.5 million in EU funding annually. Nevertheless, the broadcaster remains a private company with the Commission having no legal say in the channel’s organisation or strategy. Relations with the news channel are understood to be established on the basis of a Framework Partnership Agreement.
In this context:
- —Has the Commission ever requested a full and comprehensive audit of Euronews, independently of the figures supplied by the channel’s management?
- —Following the entry of other, controversial shareholders, has the Commission discussed the recent news of US media giant NBC acquiring a stake of 15-30% in Euronews, a move which would seriously hinder the channel’s European public broadcasting mission? Did the Commission agree to this?
- —Has the Commission discussed, and does it agree with, the company’s economic arguments for the expected job cuts, given that management has just splashed out millions on its sumptuous new headquarters in Lyon?