European newsroom: news agencies receive EU funding
The EU Commission is funding the establishment of a European newsroom in Brussels planned by 16 news agencies with almost 1.8 million euros.
"This first pan-European newsroom will enable journalists to report together on EU affairs and promote a spirit of cooperation at home," said Thierry Breton, the EU Internal Market Commissioner responsible, at the European News Media Forum in Brussels on Monday. "We believe that with this new step we will strengthen the European information space and increase citizens' access to quality information."
Vice-President Vera Jourova, who is responsible for strengthening press freedom and media pluralism, said: "I am firmly convinced that media are stronger through cross-border cooperation."
As an example, she cited the research into the "Pandora Papers" on money hidden by politicians and celebrities in tax havens. "I also believe that such networks and solidarity make it more difficult for states to interfere," added Jourova.
Multilingual website
According to the Commission, the funding will be used to finance further training courses in the newsroom and a new multilingual website with selected texts from the news agencies on EU topics. The project is being coordinated by the German press agency DPA.
The French AFP, the Italian ANSA, the Belgian Belga, the Austrian APA and the Spanish agencies EFE and Europa Press are also involved. The Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA is also involved in this project. Agencies such as the Albanian ATA and the Serbian Tanjug are also involved.
Launch from mid-2022
The Chairman of the dpa Management Board, Peter Kropsch, said: "When 16 news agencies from 15 countries, each with their own national perspective on Europe, use a joint newsroom in Brussels, everyone benefits from the diversity of perspectives. Thanks to this networking, journalistic quality increases."
There would also be training, events and, above all, the infrastructure of the European Newsroom (ENR) with technology and news feeds. "With the ENR concept, it is particularly important to us that all partners are committed to free, independent journalism," said Kropsch.
Implementation of the project will begin in January. The newsroom will then go live towards the middle of next year. (SDA)
