Public Service Broadcasters telling Europe's story

Brussels, 22 February 2007– The President of the European Broadcasting Union, Mr Fritz PLEITGEN, ARD/WDR (DE), met with Mr Hans-Gert POETTERING, President of the European Parliament today. The meeting took place within the framework of the conference, Public Service Broadcasters and Parliament, organized today at the European Parliament by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Members of the EBU have gathered to exchange experiences of parliamentary reporting, with a view to defining best practice for the future.

EBU President Fritz Pleitgen and President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering

Mr Pleitgen assured the Parliament's President that Europe's public service broadcasters take Europe seriously, and are deeply committed to fostering democracy, culture and celebrating Europe. 

The EBU President announced that the EBU has undertaken research into a new service, an exchange of news content for Parliamentary channels*. The research results have been positive and the next step will be to launch an initial trial phase. Mr Pleitgen said: "We hope that the European Parliament will embrace this initiative and work with us to help ensure its success".

Mr Poettering welcomed the idea and noted his support for; "national broadcasting corporations to open their studios to European themes and to invite Members of the European Parliament there as guests in that context". He added;"Without the media we cannot convey Europe to the public".

Mr Pleitgen further outlined just some of the EBU's initiatives to celebrate Europe's culture, its people and the European Union.

"Intercultural dialogue is a fundamental component of the EBU's mission" Mr Pleitgen noted,"our conference in Essen, "Migration and Integration" (November 2006), agreed that we, Europe's public service broadcasters will try to foster intercultural dialogue in all aspects of our work". The next edition of the conference in Paris (November 2007), organized by France Télévisions, will continue to promote cultural diversity.

The EBU will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome with a live transmission via its Eurovision network on 24 March of a major European concert, organized by RTBF and VRT, from Brussels. The programme will feature thirty European stars gathered together to celebrate Europe through music and images. 26 EBU members have already confirmed their intention to broadcast this event. On the same day, the EBU's network will also carry a celebratory concert from Berlin, the Berliner Philharmonic, directed by Sir Simon Rattle. 

All over Europe, EBU Members will celebrate the anniversary of the Treaty with a diverse range of programming, including documentaries, drama and entertainment, created by them for Europe's citizens.

Note to Editors
*For many years the EBU has operated a daily exchange of news items from its Members all over Europe. Most foreign news featured on national bulletins has passed through the EBU's control centre in Geneva. The service ensures that EBU Members have the latest pictures the minute they are available.

European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the world’s largest professional association of national broadcasters. Serving its members from headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, it coordinates technical cooperation, fosters co-productions, and operates the state-of-the-art Eurovision and Euroradio networks that transmit tens of thousands of news items, programmes and concerts every year. The Union also provides legal advice, conducts international lobbying, pursues research on  new developments in the media field, and acquires broadcasting rights on behalf of its members, mainly for major sporting events. 

For more information: http://www.ebu.ch/

Click here for EBU President Fritz Pleitgen's speech.

Contact:
Michelle Roverelli, Senior Communications Officer
Tel +41.22.717.2204
GSM: +41.79. 647 1724
Fax: +41.22.747 4204
roverelli@ebu.ch 

- / ep