European Parliament Hearing and Conference:
Paying the Price for Journalism and Democracy
European Parliament, Room 6Q1
2 February 2010, 9.30 - 12.30

Journalism, its future and the media policies of the European Union are matters at the heart of a special meeting being organised by the European Federation of Journalists at the European Parliament on 2 February.

It's a meeting of critical importance and will pose urgent questions for Brussels policymakers and media people alike:
- Where does the crisis facing media and journalism figure on the agenda of the European Union?
- What vision beyond simple communications and public relations does the European Union have for an information industry in crisis?
- What is needed to protect and enhance information pluralism in Europe as traditional media contracts and the citizens are increasingly starved of accessible and reliable news sources? And, just as important, who will pay for it?

Background:
Last year saw major changes after the European Parliament elections and there are many new faces at the European Commission

Together with other professional groups of publishers and broadcasters present in Brussels, we have welcomed the creation of a new intergroup of Parliamentarians dealing with media issues. They are now keen to start serious talk about the severe crisis affecting media and the challenges ahead.

We hope very much you will join us. This meeting could not be more timely. In presence of MEPs member of the newly created Intergoup for Media, the hearing will examine current trends for European media and will discuss how journalism and media can build a new social contract of trust with society in ways that will strengthen and reinforce democratic values. Crucial to the future of relations between media, citizens and the state is how to provide sustainable funding for media while protecting independent journalism.

Speakers include Jean-Paul Marthoz, Journalist and Writer, Enjeux Internationaux (BE), Jeremy Dear, General Secretary, National Union of Journalists (UK), Chris Elliot, Managing Editor, Guardian News & Media (UK), Verena Wiedemann, ARD, Secretary General (DE), Cristian Unteanu, REALITATE TV (Romania), Adam Watson-Brown, Media Task Force, European Commission. The moderator will be Aidan White, General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists. The meeting will be opened by Tanja Fajon, MEP, and conclusions will be made by the Chair of the EP Media Intergroup, Jean-Marie Cavada.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you do not have a professional access badge for the European Parliament, you must send your personal details (citizenship, full name, date and place of birth and full address) to Bernard Vanmuysewinkel: bernard@ifj.org