Like all international bodies, the European Union is concerned about public diplomacy. So in order to communicate its message more effectively, the European Parliament launched its own internet-based TV Channel this September – “Europarl-TV”.
At a cost of €40 million (c. $50 million) over four years, the Parliament’s Vice-President for Information and Communication Policy predicted it would garner an audience of 20-40 million viewers for important debates. Sadly, Bruno Waterfield from the Telegraph has burst the EU’s bubble by revealing that Europarl-TV attracts less than 1,200 viewers per day.
A quick perusal of Europarl-TV may reveal why: one of its leading segments on its “young Europe” section is a stunningly boring interview with the European Parliament’s rat catcher. At a time of economic crisis and rising unemployment across Europe, the EU aptly demonstrates its irrelevancy once again. Perhaps Europarl-TV would do better to explain why MEP’s are considering spending up to €9.2 million (c. $11.7 million) on a new fitness centre in the European Parliament instead of interviewing the local rodent exterminator.
May be they need to institute a fairness doctrine?
It seems that we can develop an axiom- public radio or TV subsidized by the tax payers anywhere will be a failure. EuroTV is the latest example affirming the truthfulness of that axiom.
What an excellent idea Americans need to hire rat catchers. We are overrun with rats in the white house the senate and the congress. Too much govt. cheese I think.
As far as a common international language is concerned, may I make a plea for Esperanto?
If you have time please check the Esperanto website on http://www.lernu.net