To my mind, the problem is not where EurActiv stands in terms of media independence: the problem is how we could improve it. Financial soundness is the best guarantee of independence from the political power, but of course it has a cost in terms of independence from sponsors and partners if you are providing free information –or ‘information for free’-. It is essential that sponsorships and partnerships be clearly stated and that the sponsored sections be clearly separated by the other areas.

 

From Wikileaks to Vatileaks, the work of investigative journalists has given important results and it could add value to EurActiv.com. I don’t think that their work has to be paid in advance: their work makes their media more attractive and more interesting for sponsors and partners.

 

The fact that EurActiv exchanges editorial content with national media doesn’t erode or increase, per se, media independence: it depends on the quality of the national media and on the exchanged content. When you are sharing contents with The Guardian, or El Pais, you are increasing your credibility all over Europe.

 

Of course, a media outlet focusing on EU policy has to be critical of EU institutions: not in an aprioristic way or with an Eurosceptic approach, but in a constructive and positive way. The positions of the EU Institutions have to be presented correctly, as well as the critics coming from the Governments or from the citizens. EurActiv can also declare its stand on certain issues, advocating a better Europe, which immediately becomes more Europe.

 

Giampiero Gramaglia

Former Editor-in-Chief, EurActiv.it

Author : EurActiv: Pioneering Values in European Media
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