Tuesday 31 August 2010

MEPs lacking oxygen of publicity

MEPs have it tough, don't they? All that time on their hands, nothing to spend their money on, because so much is given them for free. No need to even compile lengthy expense claims, as the reporting system only requires them to think of a number, double it and add a couple of noughts. No need to turn up for work, as absence is counted as voting in favour of whatever regulatory framework for paperclip recycling is being debated. But worst of all is the deprivation of that one thing all politicians crave even more than money: an audience.

Sadly, news companies are paring down their staff in the non-capital, in part as a consequence of the economic downturn, in part - I suggest - in recognition that no one cares what the free-loaders say or do.

[MEPs] say they find the trend "extremely worrying" and have advocated "supporting those currently in Brussels".... some MEPs believe that fewer accredited journalist covering the EU from Brussels could result in a much lower new coverage for EU activities, including parliament

Well, I doubt that will affect England much. The only time the Euro Assembly gets a mention is when Nigel Farage says something mean to the bank clerk they've put in charge.

.... Improving communication would help bridge the democratic deficit ...
Not at all. The democratic deficit is due to the 'European Project' to create a unitary federal state, ruled by an unelected, unaccountable cabal. The democratic deficit is well illustrated in the imposition of the Lisbon treaty after it had been rejected by the demos in France and the Netherlands, and in the decision of the British government, with the connivance of all three major parties, to cancel the referendum here. These things and more prove the power structures of the EU to be anti-democratic. This cannot be improved by more coverage. Indeed, the MEPs ought to be grateful so many people don't know what they get up to.

2 comments:

TheBoilingFrog said...

Indeed, the MEPs ought to be grateful so many people don't know what they get up to.

Exactly I think the phrase required here is; "be careful what you wish for".

Trooper Thompson said...

True, and investigative journalists and whistle-blowers usually find themselves arrested round the Brussels cesspit.