EU Reporter gala evening: 'Press and media have a duty to tell full story'

By Colin Stevens.

Speaking at EU Reporter's gala evening on 11 February 2014, in the presence of Greek Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas, Publisher Colin Stevens (pictured) outlined his view:

"Anticipated eagerly by some but anxiously by others, the campaign - and of course the result - will be a major political event in a way that has not always been the case in the past.

"And of course there are good reasons for that. The European Parliament is more powerful than ever before and some its leading figures are contesting this election not just as candidates in their own countries but as candidates for the presidency of the Commission.

"More than that, the European Union itself is more central than ever to the lives of its citizens, most especially in the Eurozone. Economic austerity or economic expansion, it's a choice where the key decisions for a growing number of member states are now made at the European level. And people know it.

"But that brings us to the less good news. There are many voters  - and many candidates -  whose focus on these elections is not a sign of engagement with the European ideal but of a profound disengagement, often with the political process itself.

"Still, the test of any organisation is how it copes in difficult times. And that's especially true of an organization that aims to preserve peace and unity on what by some distance is the continent with the world's most blood-soaked history.

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"Many of us would, I suspect, prefer that there were fewer voices hostile to all that Europe has achieved.

"But as those voices are being raised, let us count it as achievement that that they are heard through due democratic process, first in the election itself and then - if they are successful - in the debating chamber.

"After all, what is the alternative? The alternative is being experienced right now by Europeans still outside the Union, in the protests and violence on the streets of Kiev.

"Press and media have a duty to tell the full story.

"This course includes the platforms of political groups in the parliament and their candidates to lead Europe. But just as vital is our coverage of what's happening across our continent.

"From angry Euro-sceptics in the UK to angry Euro-enthusiasts in the Ukraine.

"I'll leave you to judge who has most to be angry about.

"Politics is always messy, especially when we're talking about an election fought across so many countries. But that's not a drawback, it something to be celebrated and certainly a reason for providing coverage that is both comprehensive and wide-ranging.

"It won't always be a fair fight but it will be a fascinating one. Our wonderfully diverse and gloriously complicated continent will no doubt elect a parliament that is just as diverse, just as complicated and just as worth reporting."

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