The Council of Europe, the European Union and their media policies
Kushaliyeva Tamiris, 209 group
The European Union is a very complex system, and for journalists it is no less than for citizens. Nevertheless, the basic information presented in this brief guide should already help to better orient the activities of the EU. One must always keep in mind: for the understanding of the EU, it is always necessary to know the background and to take into account the context, different interests and stakeholders. While some information is pure facts, other information is politicized and, therefore, they can not be mistaken for the truth without listening to several points of view.
In a multinational bureaucracy with only a limited number of native English speakers and a host of legal nuances, the EU language is not always very accessible to outsiders. This list of commonly used EU terms will help to understand official documents. The EU legal database EUR-Lex also has a useful glossary.
Searching for information about the EU outside Brussels
In general, various sites of EU institutions offer a huge amount of information: the latest press releases, currently discussed working papers, explanations of policy areas and even materials on the history of the EU. It all starts with the Europa website, which points directions to other areas in the "space" of the EU. If the request is more specific, it makes sense to go directly to the site of the relevant institution, the main of which are
In general, various sites of EU institutions offer a huge amount of information: the latest press releases, currently discussed working papers, explanations of policy areas and even materials on the history of the EU. It all starts with the Europa website, which points directions to other areas in the "space" of the EU. If the request is more specific, it makes sense to go directly to the site of the relevant institution, the main of which are
- Council;
- Parliament;
- Commission.
The Internet addresses of many other EU institutions and bodies are listed elsewhere in this guide. Typically, EU webmasters are available in several languages: all of them in English, some in English, French and German, and many in all 24 official EU languages. If the content belongs to a third country, in many cases the information is also available in the language of that country; this is true, in particular, for the EU embassies - the Delegations of the European Union.
For journalists seeking immediate impressions of what is happening in the EU, or who need audiovisual materials, institutions support real-time streaming services and extensive storage of audio-visual materials (video, photo and audio):
Audiovisual service of the European Commission, also known as Europe via satellites (EbS), offers live broadcast of press conferences and other events, as well as the ability to freely use records. The service also covers the sessions of the European Parliament and some press conferences of the Council of Ministers, as well as many other topical topics of the EU.
Audiovisual service of the European Commission, also known as Europe via satellites (EbS), offers live broadcast of press conferences and other events, as well as the ability to freely use records. The service also covers the sessions of the European Parliament and some press conferences of the Council of Ministers, as well as many other topical topics of the EU.
The EuroparlTV Audiovisual Service of the European Parliament covers parliamentary meetings, committee meetings and press briefings on the air, and offers free entries and background videos. Sessions of committees can be especially interesting if an acute issue is being considered, because thematic debates are at the forefront.
Of course, the European Council also has a real-time streaming service, allowing you to watch press conferences or open meetings of the Council. It also has a database of ready-made videos and photos that are available for re-use by the media.
All materials are available in professional standards and free for broadcasters, news agencies, print and online publications, for educational purposes, as well as for those who wish to disseminate information about the activities of the European Union.
Of course, the European Council also has a real-time streaming service, allowing you to watch press conferences or open meetings of the Council. It also has a database of ready-made videos and photos that are available for re-use by the media.
All materials are available in professional standards and free for broadcasters, news agencies, print and online publications, for educational purposes, as well as for those who wish to disseminate information about the activities of the European Union.
The EU institutions also offer production support for audiovisual media, namely television and radio studios, editing equipment, Internet connections for streaming, various instruments and operator groups, so broadcasters and journalists do not need to create their own expensive infrastructure for periodic transmission reports from Brussels and Strasbourg.
Of course, EU institutions also distribute their press releases online. The constantly updated EU Media Center is the main source of official information of the European Union in all institutions and bodies. It is complemented by
news and speeches of the European Commission, a database of press releases with a search function;
the news department of the European Parliament;
press releases and statements of the Council.
In most cases, you can subscribe to all news releases or to specific topics and subject areas via email and RSS.
The EU Bureau of Statistics, Eurostat, offers extensive quantitative information on all aspects of the life of the European Union and its policies.
Of course, EU institutions also distribute their press releases online. The constantly updated EU Media Center is the main source of official information of the European Union in all institutions and bodies. It is complemented by
news and speeches of the European Commission, a database of press releases with a search function;
the news department of the European Parliament;
press releases and statements of the Council.
In most cases, you can subscribe to all news releases or to specific topics and subject areas via email and RSS.
The EU Bureau of Statistics, Eurostat, offers extensive quantitative information on all aspects of the life of the European Union and its policies.
Specialized media of the EU
There are several media outlets that specialize in the European Union at the supranational level. Nevertheless, they effectively cover the activities of only the "Brussels part" of EU officials, members of the European Parliament, lobbyists, think tanks, political observers and PR companies. Since they often even use insider jargon more than official institutions, it can be difficult to understand them. Nevertheless, they serve as an excellent indicator of current hot topics, polemics and political scandals.
There are several media outlets that specialize in the European Union at the supranational level. Nevertheless, they effectively cover the activities of only the "Brussels part" of EU officials, members of the European Parliament, lobbyists, think tanks, political observers and PR companies. Since they often even use insider jargon more than official institutions, it can be difficult to understand them. Nevertheless, they serve as an excellent indicator of current hot topics, polemics and political scandals.
The most important EU media are:
Politico Europe;
EurActiv;
New Europe;
EUObserver.
The information and opinions expressed in this text are those of the authors of OPEN Media Hub and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the European Union. Neither the institutions and bodies of the European Union nor any person acting on their behalf can be held accountable for the use of the information contained therein.
Politico Europe;
EurActiv;
New Europe;
EUObserver.
The information and opinions expressed in this text are those of the authors of OPEN Media Hub and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the European Union. Neither the institutions and bodies of the European Union nor any person acting on their behalf can be held accountable for the use of the information contained therein.
