"How can the role of the printed press be developed in order to improve the public perception of Europe?": this is the first question around which hinges the public confrontation between the EU Executive and nine journalists (directors, editors-in-chief) of papers from different countries, promoted by the Media Commissioner Viviane Reding in Brussels. This is the third event of its kind to take place after the failure of the referenda on the Constitution in France and Holland, and the purpose is to improve information about the activities and policies of the EU. The papers involved are: Le Soir and De Standaard (Belgium), Stern (Germany), Die Presse (Austria), 24 Chasa (Bulgaria), Romania Libera and Evenimentul Zilei (Romania), Mag (Slovenia), El Pais (Spain). Items on the agenda include the sources of information on the life of the Union through the Internet and competition among the media. Reding says she is sure that, despite the proliferation of free papers and websites, traditional printed papers are more trusted by readers: "Journalism based on editorial discipline and the check of the sources is growing. The quality of editorial contents has never been so important as in this time of surplus information".
