European Media Overview: Multi-Language News in the Euro Zone

1. European Media Clare Murphy

2. Overview • World’s second smallest continent • 3,930,000 sq mi • 50 countries; 27 EU member states • Democratic governments – parliamentary style with symbolic heads of state • Population: 739,165,030 • Euro zone GDP: US$17.55 trillion/€12.629 trillion (2011) • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13361934

3. Languages • In the EU, English (34%) is the most widely known second language. • Followed by German (12%) and French (11%). • Spanish and Russian are spoken as a foreign language by 5% of Europeans. • Smaller EU member states, have the best language skills as their native language is not widely spoken. • Luxembourg – 99% • Italy, Spain, Portugal – 64%

4. Press Freedom

5. Press Freedom Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia Western Europe

6. Pan-European Media Companies • Multilingual news television channel with a Pan-European perspective • Rolling news channel • 155 countries • “No Comment” segment • http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKaga4lkTL0KilWyDq6IL0-WqiNiXFu4Y • http://www.euronews.com/

7. Belgium • Population: 10.7 million • Capital: Brussels - EU • Languages: Dutch, French, German • GNI per capita: US $45,910 (2010) • Member of euro zone • Best European legislation for protecting sources • Media ownership is highly concentrated based on region • Online • 8.5 million internet users • Netlog – 80 million users • Television/Radio • Flanders: VRT • Radio 1, Studio Brussels, RVI • Wallonia: RTBF • La Premiere, Classic 21, RTBF International • Euronews • Actua-TV • http://www.actua.tv/ • Press • Het LaatsteNieuws • Flemmish • 292,410 copies • Het Nieuwsblad • 210,000 copies • “a broad view” • SudPresse • French • 115,838 copies

8. Greece • Population: 11.4 million • Language: Greek • GNI per capita: US $25,030 (2011) • Member of euro zone • Television/Radio • TV • ERT – public, entertainment based/regional news • Mega TV, ANT1, Alpha TV – major private stations • Radio • Several commercial networks – Antenna FM, Athena 984 (first non-state radios) • ERA – public radio • Limits on speech • Publications exist that are obscene, offend religious beliefs or advocate violent overthrow of the government • Public/private media are generally free from government control, but state-owned stations will have pro-government bias • Media owners have close relationship with government officials – lack of debate surrounding key issues • 2007 media law • Radio must be broadcast in Greek • Radio stations must hold a designated amount of money/full time staff • Growing violence against journalists • Financial crisis – media cuts • Press • Eleftherotypia • “freedom of the press”; independent voice • Went on strike in December 2011 • Kathimerini • New Democracy; Right Wing • Online • 53 percent

9. Press Issues • HUMO Magazine • November 2008 • published several satirical photo montages of Sylvie Ricour, commenting on her controversial appointment as secretary to the Federal Police Chief FernandKoekelberg • Obscene content; 250 euros for each copy of the magazine remaining on newsstands • “became an open and chosen target of a section of the militants. Home-made explosives made out of gas canisters have been used against several media and several journalists received regular death threats.” – RWB • Revolutionary Sect • “Journalists, this time we came to your door, next time you will find us inside” • Self censorship • http://www.france24.com/en/20100719-greek-journalist-giolias-shot-dead-athens-police-suspect-terrorist-group Belgium Greece

10. Coverage • Euro zone crisis, London Olympics • Within Europe • http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/interactive/2012/oct/17/eurozone-crisis-interactive-timeline-three-years • American viewpoint • Greece • Television/newspaper coverage