college of europe - natolin library information seminar, 11 september 2010 the role of information...
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College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The role of information and communicationin the governance of the European Union
Ian ThomsonCollege of Europe - Natolin
11 September 2010
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Key recommendations of European Parliament Resolution adopted on the 7 September 2010 on Communication
• Role for public service broadcasters and transnational media
• National governments and political parties should play a greater role in promoting EU
• Huge potential of social media
• Need to update school curricula
• Improve EU institutional communication
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College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Public Opinion and Europe:Elections, Referendums and Surveys
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Public Opinion and Europe:Elections, Referendums and Surveys
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
European Commission says:EU citizens favour stronger European economic governance75% of Europeans think that stronger coordination of economic and financial policies among EU Member States would be effective in fighting the economic crisis
EurActiv report says:Europeans losing faith in EuropeJust 42% of Europeans say they trust the European Union … down six percentage points in just six months
EUObserver report says:EU popularity plunges right across the blocPeople's confidence in the the European Union has dropped to record lows
Public Opinion and Europe:Elections, Referendums and Surveys
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
With the evidence of • low participation rates in the EP elections• the referendum results in Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Ireland• declining support for the EU in Eurobarometer opinion polls
Communicating Europe effectively has become an issue of major concern to the EU Institutions
• a need to professionalise the way information is communicated• a need to involve the Member States as well as other actors• a need to use new media to get information and messages across
However, the question still arises… Will more effective communication make citizens ‘love’ the EU or are the challenges greater or more complex?
Public Opinion and Europe:The challenge…
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
… warning to all European politicians. We must close the gap between the people and the policymakers.
We need to start seeing the citizens as the centre of everything and and the institutions as moving around them, receiving and responding to their messages.
…delivering on the key issues of the day: jobs for people - preserving peace in Europe - protecting the environment etc … is also an essential ingredient of ‘connecting’ citizens to political institutions.
Communication is the response to the right of the citizens to be informed
Margot Wallström
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Frankly I do not believe there are any purely ‘professional’ or ‘technical’ solutions to the problems surrounding EU communications strategy. The fundamental reforms that are essential for any EU communications policy to succeed are essentially political.
European citizens need to feel a far greater sense of ‘ownership’ of the European political process.
Member States must accept shared responsibility with the EU institutions for both the content of the communications messages and the manner in which they are delivered.
John Palmer
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Current thinking on EU information and communication policy
Interactive communication / Participatory democracy initiatives - Connecting with citizens
Making the EU more transparent European Transparency Initiative Access to documents
The increasing role of new media The web / Web-streaming / Radio and television / Blogging /
Twitter Better, simpler and more accessible legislation
Structure of talk
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The role of information and communicationin the governance of the European Union
Current thinking on EU information and communication policy
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
European Governance:Role of information and communication
White Paper on European Governance 2001 Involve citizens and stakeholders – WHY?
To gain legitimacy, support and understanding To create better law How to involve citizens and stakeholders - Better
information and communication
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Action Plan to Improve Communicating Europe, July 2005 Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate, October 2005 White Paper on a European Communication Policy, January 2006
Communication: Communicating Europe in Partnership, October 2007
Communication: Communicating about Europe via the Internet: Engaging the Citizen, December 2007
Communication: Debate Europe…, April 2008
Action Plan on Communicating Europe through Audio-Visual Media, April 2008
Political Declaration: Communicating Europe in Partnership, October 2008
EU information and communication policy:Recent developments
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
EU information and communication policy:Key themes
Duty of the EU to inform, consult and involve (to listen) Right of the ‘citizen’ and ‘stakeholder’ to be informed, consulted and
involved (to know) Legitimacy / Understanding / Better law
Listen better (interactive communication – opinion polls etc) Communicate better (plain simple language – meaningful everyday
examples) Go local (adapt EU messages to local and sectoral audiences) Communicate in partnership Cross-border communication channels promoting debate and
dialogue on issues of common concern (European Public Sphere / Citizenship Education)
Use all forms of media Information needs to be ‘clear, objective, comprehensive, relevant and
easy to find’[OECD: Citizens as partners, 2001]
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
See also: The European unions burden.
Information and communication to a reluctant people
Some recent commentary and evaluation on EU information and communication activities
Blogresponse
Blogs on EU information &
communication issues
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
EU information and communication policy:The situation in 2010…
European Commission: change of personnel
Goodbye to Margot Wallström & Siim Kallas
Welcome toViviane Reding
DG Communication & Publications Office
Maroš Šefčovič I-IR & Administration (ETI)
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
EU information and communication policy:The situation in 2010…
Commission plans communication revolutionEURACTIV, 30.08.09
Mrs Reding wants to bring about a ‘revolution’ and ‘culture shock’ in communication activities
• the Commission should be rebranded as the ‘government’ of the EU• greater personalisation centred on Mr Barroso• More centralisation in the delivery of messages• reshuffle of top officials in information & communication activities• greater professionalism
However, commentators are very criticalCommunicating Europe: Reding’s revolution
Blog: Grahnlaw, 02.09.10
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The role of information and communicationin the governance of the European Union
Interactive Communication: Participatory democracy
Connecting citizens to Europe: Getting citizens involved and participating – and voting
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Interactive Communication:Participatory democracy initiatives
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Interactive Communication:Participatory democracy initiatives
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Results of the European Citizens Summit, May 2009
Top recommendations1. Lead on climate change2. Common healthcare system3. Common working conditions
First dialogue – then decision That's democracy –
21st century democracy!Margot Wallstrom, May 2009
What can the EU do to shape our economy and social future in a globalised world?
I got interested in the EU when the EU got interested in me…
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Interactive Communication:Participatory democracy initiatives
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Interactive Communication:Participatory democracy initiatives
NB: European Citizens’ Initiative
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The role of information and communicationin the governance of the European Union
Making the EU more transparent
•European Transparency Initiative•Access to documents
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Openness and transparency in the EUIs the EU open and transparent?
Transparency is defined as the right of citizens to access information to enable their effective participation - and, in doing so, strengthen the European institutions.
Open government is good because it underpins the legitimacy and credibility of democracy as a form of government. Secondly, it can improve the quality of decisions taken.
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The EU is open and transparent… O&T in Treaties Decision making: open and democratic EU information policy Press Corps / Lobbying
BUT… Challenge of language: multilingual but resource limitations
[policy on Europa] ‘Culture of Secrecy’ [Committee of Independent Experts, 1999] Complexity of decision making
Decision making website How open is each EU Institution? Europe ditches clarity and embraces obfuscation (FT, 26.06.07) Increasing use of ‘Trilogues’ [2004-09 80% of decisions were agreed in this way]
Openness and transparency in the EUThe evidence for and against
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Transparency of recipients of EU funds particularly agriculture and structural funds [Beneficiaries of grants] [CAP] DEFRA: CAP Payments Search Call to Germany, April 2009 / IP/09/694 Financial Transparency System
Transparency of interests in EU Institutions especially EP and Commission Commission Communication on professional ethics (SEC (2008)301) European Parliament allowances [EO on EP, July 2008] European Parliament attendance records to be made public EO Annual Report 2009: 36% of allegations concerned transparency (April 2010)
Transparency in the fight against fraud in the EU budget Transparency of interests of lobbyists
2008: Register of Interest Representatives launched [COM (2008)323]
European Transparency Initiative
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
3034 signed up [09.09.10]ETI will stay voluntary
Should Think Tanks join?Moves towards a common register
/ Joint statement
European Transparency Initiative
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
European Agri-Millionaires, 2009
Initial evaluation of implementation of new EU rules on CAP transparency
European Transparency Initiative
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Why access to documents is considered important: accountability
Regulation (EC) 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, May 2001
Green Paper Review of 1049/2001, April 2007 New proposal, April 2008
Statewatch Observatory / Current status of proposal Registers of documents
Commission – Parliament – Council – Comitology
Access to documents
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The role of information and communicationin the governance of the European Union
The increasing role for new media
The Internet – Web-streaming – Radio – TelevisionBlogs – Twitter – Facebook
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Clearly, the media (radio, television, newspapers and other developing media) play a part in the dissemination of information about the EU
Communicating Europe through audiovisual media SEC(2008)506
The increasing role for new media
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
European media initiativesTraining and Services for Media Professionals
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
TV – Web-streaming for EU informationEU sources
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
TV – Web-streaming for EU informationNon-EU sources
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
European Public SphereDeveloping a pan-European debate through
newspapers, radio and television1. EUFeeds
2. European non-English language newspapers’ initiative3. PressEurop
1. Euranet2. A TV network?
Radio – TV – Newspapers for EU information
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The increasing role of new media Web 2.0: Blogs
EU officials compile blogs on information &
communication issues
Blogs for EU information
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Blogs for EU information
Blog Aggregators bring together a selection of Europe focused blogs
A sample of blogs offering a range of insights on Europe
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Increasing use of social networks
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The role of information and communicationin the governance of the European Union
Better, simpler and moreaccessible legislation
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Reduced legislative activity - ‘Better regulation’ Better quality legislation after consultation Impact assessments Better quality drafting - Explanatory memorandum Greater use of alternative legislative instruments Consolidation, codification and recasting Simplification Making Community law more accessible
EUR-LEX, PRELEX, OEIL etc
Better, simpler and moreaccessible legislation
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
Political interest has focused attention and resources – which has led to useful specific EU communication initiatives, products and services
But… Democratic openness v operational efficiency
is a challenge Citizens are still not informed or interested in the
EU
The role of information and communication in the governance of the European Union
Conclusions
College of Europe - NatolinLibrary Information Seminar, 11 September 2010The role of information & communication in the governance of the EU
The role of information and communicationin the governance of the European Union
Thank you for your attentionThis handout available on the Natolin intranet
© Ian Thomson, September [email protected]