A European Perspective

Introducing “A European Perspective”, a pan-European networked newsroom where journalists work collectively towards the common goal of unlocking diverse, cross-cultural perspectives and embracing a solutions-based approach.

The project aims to provide citizens with improved access to a trusted public sphere that enables them to contextualise issues affecting Europe and learn from the experience of other countries.

What is it?

“A European Perspective” brings together public service media committed to sharing online news content that offers their audiences fresh insight into pan-European issues.

Phase I of ‘A European Perspective’ launched in July 2021 - brought together 11 public service broadcasters and the EBU to share objective, trustworthy news from across the continent, all delivered in real-time to the public in their local language online. In the first eight months of the project, over 6,500 stories were shared on their websites. With over 45 million views, the public’s interest is clear. Broadcasters are able to display a dedicated newsfeed on their homepages or within any article, serving the growing need for a European perspective on public service news coverage.

Phase II of the project will expand upon this success and further develop the innovative work started around online news sharing for another 14 months. A new social media strategy is set to increase public engagement, reach new, younger audiences, and kickstart developing a public service journalism algorithm. Both phases of this innovation project are co-financed by the European Commission.

This EBU Brussels-led initiative includes Members from Belgium (RTBF), Czechia (CT), Estonia (ERR), Finland (Yle), France (France Télévisions), Georgia (GPB), Germany (BR-ARD), Ireland (RTÉ), Italy (Eurovision Italy), Latvia (LSM.lv), Lithuania (LRT), Portugal (RTP), Slovenia (RTVSLO), Spain (RTVE), Sweden (SR), Switzerland (SWI swissinfo.ch) as well as ARTE, the Franco-German broadcaster, the Constructive Institute from Denmark and Agence France Presse (AFP).

Why is it important?

“A European Perspective” contributes to developing a European public sphere rooted in core EU values such as respect for human dignity, equality, inclusion and the rule of law. 

It also aims to celebrate diversity and promote understanding between people across the continent.

The initiative has the unique potential to act as a beacon for audiences seeking to navigate their way through an increasingly oversaturated and disordered media space. 

It acts as a powerful counterbalance to disinformation campaigns and agenda-driven narratives which seek to foment division and exploit fault lines between communities.

How does it work?

Each participating organization shares its stories through a Digital News Hub, where they are translated into multiple languages using the EBU's EuroVOX tool and robust editorial workflows.

Editors can then select the most relevant stories for their audiences and publish them through a dedicated widget featured on their websites and apps.

The tool empowers broadcasters to transcend language barriers and bring trusted content to citizens of all ages across Europe.

If you are curious about how 'A European Perspective' looks live, you can check the participating Members' websites listed below: 

• https://www.francetvinfo.fr/
• https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa
• https://www.swissinfo.ch/por
• https://www.swissinfo.ch/ita
• https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger
• https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre
• https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng
• https://www.rtbf.be/info/
• https://www.rte.ie/news/
• https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/
• https://www.rtve.es/noticias
• https://yle.fi/uutiset/
• https://www.arte.tv/en/articles/european-perspective
• https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt
• https://sverigesradio.se/nyheter
• https://www.lrt.lt/
• https://news.err.ee/
• https://www.lsm.lv/
• https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/
• https://1tv.ge/lang/en/
• https://www.rtvslo.si/

What are the editorial principles behind it?

Public service media using the recommendation service have agreed to adhere to the following editorial principles:

• Content should address themes that resonate with all Europeans because they affect multiple countries, societies, or identity groups. 
• Content should inform, examine, and explain the impact of policies, decisions and actions made by European governments and institutions, assessing how they impact the lives of citizens in the furtherance of core democratic principles. 
• Participants should embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that news content promotes voices, views, and personal testimonies from across Europe's social landscape, including those of vulnerable or marginalised groups.
• Content must be subject to independent and accountable editorial processes. It must be accurate, relevant, fair, and respectful, particularly regarding human dignity and diversity of thought.

Furthermore, all participants operate a systematic approach to handling audience complaints and corrections.

What is EurUp? 

In EurUp, news stories shared in A European Perspective are tailored to meet younger audiences' needs and curiosity. 

It is a news source and a creative platform for empowering young people to think critically.

EurUp aims to connect people from all corners of Europe, regardless of location, language barriers, or age.

EurUp is the social media version of A European Perspective. It is a social media account where audiences can explore the news, discover unique perspectives and actively engage in relevant conversations. 

Follow us on EurUp for bite-size content on big-time topics. 

How is artificial intelligence used?

"A European Perspective” takes its cue from the Eurovision News Monitoring Tool, piloted by 14 EBU Members in 2020. 

This tool aims to allow participating broadcasters to monitor online content produced by their counterparts in real time, using AI-assisted translation, automatic content recommendation tools (PEACH) and filters to identify items of interest that will resonate with national audiences. 

The use of AI aims to increase the relevance and diversity of news content using automated translations, text transcriptions and story selection.

Where content featured in the recommendation box has been translated using automated tools, users will see the legend: “Translated with the help of Artificial Intelligence". Where content has been automatically selected, either wholly or using algorithmic processes, it will be marked: “Selected with the help of Artificial Intelligence”. 

Public service media are committed to using AI in a way that respects fundamental rights, especially freedom of expression and information, enhancing cultural and social diversity.

Who is leading this initiative?

“A European Perspective” is co-funded by a grant from the European Commission's Multimedia Actions programme. However, content production overheads are borne entirely by the participating broadcasters, which retain full editorial control over their stories.  

The Association Internationale sans but Lucratif (AISBL) EBU-UER in Brussels is responsible for managing the EU Grant and reporting to the European Commission on progress towards agreed indicators.

EBU Members guide the collaboration through a Core Working Group presided by Asun Gomez-Bueno (Spain, RTVE) and Eric Scherer (France Télévisions)

This project is co-financed by the European Union’s Preparatory Action – “European Media Platforms”

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