Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-01-14-Speech-2-236"
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"en.20030114.6.2-236"2
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". – I should like first of all to emphasise my personal interest in this subject. I am absolutely convinced that providing reliable information about world affairs in countries that are suffering from tyrannies, or where freedom of speech and freedom of the media is attenuated, is exceptionally important. Referring to the country I know best, the work done by the BBC World Service has, over the years, been of enormous significance in the promotion of pluralism around the world. I understand, however, the point made by the Member.
Radio Free Asia has a budget of about EUR 30 million per year. If we were to take that as the model, we would be talking about committing 30 per cent of the budget for Chapter B7-7. I suspect that the House would regard that as rather a large chunk of the available funds. The Member asked whether establishing a broadcasting medium would be a good use of the funds if we were to have a larger budget and more money to spend on human rights. I suspect that, if this were so, I would have to argue with the Court of Auditors and with Parliament. The policy on democracy and human rights that we now faithfully follow precisely reflects reports by Parliament and the Court of Auditors. It was warmly endorsed for its strategic thrust by both the Council and by the Parliament.
The Member concerned has powerful powers of persuasion. His silver tongue might be able to convince Parliament to support this proposition and to change its view on strategic thrust. He may, however, have more difficulty in persuading the Court of Auditors that we should support the core funding that would undoubtedly be necessary in order to establish such a broadcasting medium.
I believe it is more sensible to look at other options, including use of the Internet, while wholly concurring with what the Member said about the importance of trying to broadcast the truth to countries where, alas, the truth is obfuscated by darkness and tyranny."@en1
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