Common EU radio station

18.7.2013

Question for written answer P-008844-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Justas Vincas Paleckis (S&D)

I have received letters in which EU citizens write that there is no common European Union radio broadcasting news. Information about the EU only reaches them via local media, but they stress that European radio could also be an additional source of information, bringing the EU even closer together.

Such a project could be much cheaper than the ‘Euronews’ television channel, which is also essential. Furthermore, radio has its own advantages: it would better reach citizens of EU Member States travelling by car or other means of transport, doing physical work in places where it is not possible to use the Internet, as well as the partially sighted.

If the Commission is interested in this project, it would make sense to begin with radio in English, and then later to also broadcast programmes in the other most common EU languages where possible.

What is the Commission’s opinion about this proposal? What actions should be taken to establish an EU radio station?

OJ C 87 E, 26/03/2014