Report
The European Union's burden
Information and communication to a reluctant people
THE EUROPEAN UNION annually spends several million euros on
opinion-shaping activities designed to promote a broader and deeper
European integration. Further European integration is a practical
political ideal, and many powerful European leaders dream of a
united and strong Europe to offset such global powers as the United
States and China. Yet Europe’s citizens are conflicted when it
comes to further political and economic integration, and have
consistently voted down referenda that would move Europe in this
direction.
To bridge this gap, the EU launched a communications effort to
burnish the image of European cooperation. It includes traditional
printed materials such as books, leaflets and brochures, but also
encompasses television, radio, training programs for journalists
and legislation designed to give the EU a facelift. More, efforts
are underway to create a common European identity in the hopes of
building support for closer economic and political cooperation.
These activities extend beyond the normal realm of factual
information, treading dangerously close to
propaganda.
English translation of the report Den Europeiska unionens börda.
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