EU: communications is key - open discussion needed.

The EU is said to launch the idea of an European Press Agency and a "code of conduct" for journalists according to EUobserver, a Brussels based news channel.

More interesting however is the fact that the EU is asking itself the right questions with regards to the NO vote on the European constitution. They do understand that faulty communications, and especially "almost no" communications to EU citizens, was one of the main reasons why the idea of a constitution was rejected by several important countries.

In a so called "white paper on communication" - to be unveiled on Wednesday (today) according to the EUobserver - the EU lists the following important points:

• National governments are called upon to provide "the tools and facilities, setting up new fora for public discussion of European issues, which will give as many people as possible access to information and the possibility to make their voices heard."
• "a European 'public sphere' cannot be shaped in Brussels," and the member states and other national actors "have a responsibility to use national channels to ensure a robust European debate."
• this debate should be "inclusive," with all citizens having access to information "in particular minorities, disabled citizens and other vulnerable groups that might systematically risk being excluded."
• Europe's communication policy "must respect that European citizens come from widely diverse social and cultural backgrounds and hold a wide variety of political views," points out the EU executive.

This sounds as if they are going the right direction this time... Again, according to EUobserver, a website will also be launched today in order to get feedback from EU citizens on the white paper. As soon as I can find the link I'll have a look and post it here.