'Ill Feeling Towards the EU Could Reach the Point Where it Threatens the EU Itself'

'Ill Feeling Towards the EU Could Reach
the Point Where it Threatens the EU Itself'

Ireland's Minister for Europe, Dick Roche, criticised the national media for not reporting on a conference for EU ministers held in his own constituency. He told Tim O'Brien of the Irish Times (12/04) that he had 'apologized to delegates for the lack of media interest at the conclusion of the conference.'

The 'Communicating Europe' conference was not, however, completely ignored by the media. The Sunday Business Post (11/04) had a useful piece on it by Sean MacCarthaigh and an editorial.

The conference, we were told, asked basic questions including, 'why is the EU so unpopular?'

The editorial continued: "What emerged with alarming rapidity was the mammoth scale of the problem. Right across the continent, there is a significant, growing gulf between the citizens and the institutions supposed to serve them."

Ministers who cannot completely ignore voters, but 'face regular referendums on European Treaties, expressed their deepest fears at the gathering.' They stated that if all this continued, "the ill-feeling towards the EU could reach the point where it threatened the EU itself."

Indeed, Mr Roche admitted that, "Declining voter turnout in the European Parliament elections, persistently negative media and declining support in opinion polls all suggest that the European Union no longer enjoys a positive image."

This was some understatement! And the reference to 'persistently negative media comment' may puzzle Irish readers. Perhaps the Minister was describing the media in other countries.

Here was a glimpse of deep ill-feeling towards the EU, right across Europe. It was a view the Irish media rarely allow us to see. The Minister should have been glad that most of our media ignored the conference.

In his Business Post piece, Sean MacCarthaigh poked fun at the EU ministers for being 'addicted to jargon'. He gave as an example their references to 'Europe's 'infopoints and carrefours network' and even 'understanding the dynamics of the citizen administration interface.'

Mr MacCarthaigh, however, came close to jargon himself when he said that the real problem with the EU is "a massive democratic deficit at the heart of Europe." He meant that the EU has a major impact on the daily lives of millions of people, but these people feel utterly powerless to bring about any change. This is because "at every step, national governments have ensured that they, rather than their voters, hold the power."

Surely this topic deserves more attention from the media?
Alive, 12th May 2004

CTM COMMENT: Spread the word to friends with The Real Face of the European Union by Phillip Day, a video documentary (PAL format only) which lays out the serious problems with the European project and what you can do about it. Also, don't miss these two incisive commentaries on the dangers of Britain's involvement with the EU:


	Back to Eclub Navigator Archives CTM main page Recommended Reading Contact
		'Ill Feeling Towards the EU Could Reach the Point Where it Threatens the EU Itself' Ireland's Minister for Europe, Dick Roche, criticised the national media for not reporting on a conference for EU ministers held in his own constituency. He told Tim O'Brien of the Irish Times (12/04) that he had 'apologized to delegates for the lack of media interest at the conclusion of the conference.' He was particularly critical of RTE, given all the taxpayers' money it gets. The 'Communicating Europe' conference was not, however, completely ignored by the media. The Sunday Business Post (11/04) had a useful piece on it by Sean MacCarthaigh and an editorial. The conference, we were told, asked basic questions including, 'why is the EU so unpopular?' The editorial continued: "What emerged with alarming rapidity was the mammoth scale of the problem. Right across the continent, there is a significant, growing gulf between the citizens and the institutions supposed to serve them." Ministers who cannot completely ignore voters, but 'face regular referendums on European Treaties, expressed their deepest fears at the gathering.' They stated that if all this continued, "the ill-feeling towards the EU could reach the point where it threatened the EU itself." Turnout Indeed, Mr Roche admitted that, "Declining voter turnout in the European Parliament elections, persistently negative media and declining support in opinion polls all suggest that the European Union no longer enjoys a positive image." This was some understatement! And the reference to 'persistently negative media comment' may puzzle Irish readers. Perhaps the Minister was describing the media in other countries. Here was a glimpse of deep ill-feeling towards the EU, right across Europe. It was a view the Irish media rarely allow us to see. The Minister should have been glad that most of our media ignored the conference. In his Business Post piece, Sean MacCarthaigh poked fun at the EU ministers for being 'addicted to jargon'. He gave as an example their references to 'Europe's 'infopoints and carrefours network' and even 'understanding the dynamics of the citizen administration interface.' Mr MacCarthaigh, however, came close to jargon himself when he said that the real problem with the EU is "a massive democratic deficit at the heart of Europe." He meant that the EU has a major impact on the daily lives of millions of people, but these people feel utterly powerless to bring about any change. This is because "at every step, national governments have ensured that they, rather than their voters, hold the power." Surely this topic deserves more attention from the media? Alive, 12th May 2004 CTM COMMENT: Spread the word to friends with *The Real Face of the European Union* by Phillip Day, a video documentary (PAL format only) which lays out the serious problems with the European project and what you can do about it. Also, don't miss these two incisive commentaries on the dangers of Britain's involvement with the EU: Ten Minutes to Midnight by Phillip Day Vigilance by Ashley Mote Click here to purchase or review any of the above. Click here for telephone sales around the world.