An exercise in democracy

"Ever since 1979 the European Parliament has been directly elected by all EU citizens" , "an exercise in democracy rivalled only by India". Süddeutsche Zeitung’s journalist Stefan Kornelius is the author of the opening article of the web site www.presseurop.eu, that was inaugurated on May 26 by Commissioner Margot Wallstrom. A "free and independent" online newspaper with articles, images and computer graphics, from more than 200 European newspapers, about Europe and community integration. From the EU elections to a single currency. From Kornelius’ article: "The European Parliament is the only transnational democratically legitimised assembly in the world to have real powers". "The members of the upcoming seventh legislature will enjoy the privilege of being the first EU representatives to be accorded powers to steer and control European policy. Who cares? Precious few, apparently". "However, there are quite a few Europe advocates: 52 organisations to promote Euro-enthusiasm" in the 27 Member states. Many of the site’s articles are obviously concentrated on the upcoming elections. Other articles address Israel-EU relations, environment safety, and Poland’s interest in adopting the single currency. Many articles are focused on domestic policies and in-depth topics (economy, culture, trips..), and links that include European TV, Euronews, with television programs with annexed text. Fuel the debate among citizens. The initiative, backed by the EU Commission, comes from the French newspaper "Courieer International, and other French, Italian, Portuguese newspapers centred on international information. "Presseurop.eu will become the leader in politics and general news about Europe", with features of "independence and pluralism", said EU Commission Vice-President, Mrs. Margot Wallstrom, to explain the origin, content and goals of this communication media of the EU strategy to deliver citizens results and debates on integration. www.presseurop.eu every day publishes International and European press articles selected from written and on line in the 27 Member states on a variety of Community topics, a daily newsletter, press reviews, photographs and computer graphics. Free content in 10 languages. "The content – the Commissioner points out- will be available free and in ten languages: Czeck, French, English Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romenian, Spanish and German." It will be gradually extended to cover the 23 EU languages. "The final goal- Mrs. Wallstrom highlights- is to help public opinion "with articles and comments with a reasonable approach" based on news and different points of view. "Alongside EuRanet (launched in 2008) and EU TV Net (scheduled for 2010), Presseurop translates – according to the Swedish Commissioner – our ambition is to favour, nourish and help the creation of a European area of communication and debated". Obviously, considering its editorial freedom Presseurop can undergo a drop in style and trigger legitimate political polemics. Such as, for example, the reactions unleashed by the article "Bad Education" by Fintan O’Toole, taken from "The Irish Time", on paedophilia in Ireland.A newspaper for all Europeans. "Today where 500 million Europeans live (not without occasional misgivings) in an increasingly close-knit Union, language is on longer a divisive factor. It is however difficult o get to know one another when you have to juggle with 23 official languages are involved- not forgetting the regional tongue that seek recognition in Brussels." The first presseurop’s editorial adds that: "For news and entertainment, these 500 million Europeans can watch satellite TV, listen to the radio via internet, read newspapers in print or online versions. Distance is no longer a barrier. But wherever they are on the continent, must turn to media in their mother tongue ". In fact as Marc Leijendekker recently mentioned in the Dutch daily "NRC Handelsblad", "there is no European newspaper that is read by Italians and Czecks alike, no single website where both Spaniards and Swedes go to get their news, no TV news program that is broadcasted to every living room in Europe at 8 p.m.". Thus, the editorial wraps up "our ambition is to make this journalist’s dream, hopefully shared by many citizens, come true".