92002E1042

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1042/02

by José Pomés Ruiz (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 April 2002)

Subject: Euronews and Gara: the only Spanish media which fail to call ETA a terrorist group

In its bulletin of 26 March 2002, Euronews once again referred to ETA as a separatist organisation rather than a terrorist group.

Objectivity and neutrality in the news media demand that in a report of a rape the word rapist should be used. If an armed robbery is reported, the authors should be termed robbers. What matters from the information viewpoint is the offence committed in itself and not the reasons for the robbery or rape. Nonetheless, certain Spanish media, when reporting terrorist attacks perpetrated by ETA, prefer to refer to the motives put forward by the criminals themselves to justify their actions.

The media concerned are:

- Gara, a newspaper with a small audience which is openly pro-ETA; and

- Euronews, a television channel with a large audience which many Spanish people perceive as officially representing the voice of the EU.

On 10 December 2001 the author of the present question tabled a question to the Commission on the same subject (P-3466/01)(1). The Commission's reply suggested that the President of the Commission is clearly opposed to this unethical attitude on the part of Euronews, which has, however, persisted despite this warning.

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Euronews ceases to refer to ETA as a separatist organisation, and carries out its reporting on the same basis as the other media committed to freedom and democracy?

It is possible that those responsible for these news bulletins are acting out of fear of ETA, which has already killed numerous journalists in Spain. However, if this is the case, does the Commission not believe that the persons concerned should resign?

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 184.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

As mentioned in its reply to Written Question P-3466/01(1), while respecting the editorial freedom of Euronews, the Commission fully shares the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member about the fact that Euronews continues to refer to the terrorist group ETA as a separatist organisation.

The Commission has, as indicated in the previous reply, drawn the attention of Euronews to the disquiet and offence provoked by the use of this terminology.

As a consequence, Euronews has issued a press release on 15 February 2002 which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

It would be inappropriate for the Commission to comment on personnel issues as well as on the individuals stance against terrorist threats.

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 184.