WebTV aims to bring Parliament 'into people's homes'[fr][de] 

The aim of the channel is to "bring the Parliament closer to European citizens in a modern and creative format". Its supporters hope the new online channel will boost turnout at the next European elections in June next year, particularly among more technology-savvy young voters.

Speaking at the launch event, Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering said "as we approach the European elections of June 2009, EuroparlTV should be an excellent internet tool for citizens, especially young people".

Alejo Vidal-Quadras, the Parliament vice president responsible for information and communication, told EurActiv that EuroparlTV will help in the fight against "political disengagement, which is everywhere, not just among young people or with the EU".

"European institutions are too far from EU citizens. People are not aware of their presence," said Vidal-Quadras, expressing the hope that, with live programmes and debates, EuroparlTV would close this gap. "This is our hope, to be in people's homes, in live time."

Costs and criticisms

All programmes on EuroparlTV will be translated into more than 20 languages, making the site "unique in the world," according to Parliament representatives. Some programmes will be voiced over, while others will be subtitled, they explained, so that they can reach as many citizens as possible.

"Broadcasting on the Internet has a better cost-efficiency ratio," observes Marie-Hélène Descamps, a French MEP from the centre-right EPP-ED group. But she also sounded a warning note on the difficulties in generating interest in EU affairs among a largely indifferent public: "You can't make a donkey that isn't thirsty drink water," she told EurActiv France.

The project has an annual budget of €9 million, most of which will go to programme production and translation. Translation in particular will absorb more than half the total budget, mainly to pay for 44 full-time translators bringing EuroparlTV to life in 22 languages. Euronews, by comparison, broadcasts in eight languages.

Sceptical voices, however, were quick to criticise the project as an overpriced waste of time. Tom Wise, an MEP from the UK Independence Party (UKIP), which seeks Britain's withdrawal from the EU, mocked EuroparlTV as an "extravagant project" that will "bring to the general public such excruciatingly boring programmes as live coverage of the Parliament's Committee on Fisheries". According to Wise, the initiative is no less than "blatant propaganda".

Francesca Ratti, director-general for communication at the European Parliament, told EurActiv that EuroparlTV is part of a "family" of interactive and audiovisual tools that is aiming to connect the European institutions with EU citizens. "While it is important that these websites emphasize the individual elements of each institution, the most important thing is the coherent collective message from the EU." She added that EuroparlTV would give "both journalists and citizens direct access to the European Parliament".

Tena Prelec, human resources and network director  at the European Students' Forum, was enthusiastic about the project. "I think it's a very good idea. In our experience, printed material is less and less effective. The web is the way to go."

Katerina Batzeli MEP, chair of the Parliament's Committee on Education and Culture, said "EuroparlTV is a modern technology which helps to enable the democratic participation of every citizen, particularly young citizens, in European and national current affairs". Moreover, according to the Greek politician, "Europarltv is an excellent example of how new technologies and the new media can help to inform citizens about serious challenges we must all confront".