BFMI calls on public service broadcasters and European Commission to question their Euronews relationship

In an open letter published today, the Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI) calls on 20 public service broadcasters, including France Télévisions, Italy’s RAI and Ireland’s RTE, to review their relationship with Euronews following the company’s decision to enter problematic partnerships in Bulgaria and Serbia

BFMI expresses concerns that Euronews’ chosen partners do not operate in line with the strong editorial standards expected from public service broadcasters which collectively own 12% of Euronews. The other 88% of Euronews is owned by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris through his company Média Globe Network.

"We want to be sure that the Directors of the PSBs have taken sufficient measures to protect the editorial control of Euronews in these markets," the letter states.

“It is of crucial importance that PSBs do not allow a leading international news channel like Euronews to inadvertently add legitimacy to forces attempting to undermine media freedoms in two countries where democratic values are under threat.”

A separate letter has also been sent by the BFMI to the European Commission, which also provides funding for Euronews. The Commission’s funding of Euronews has previously been raised in the European Parliament. This year, the European Commision must decide whether it will continue to financially support Euronews.

The letter has been signed by the advisory board of the Balkan Free Media Initiative, which includes the former Director of BBC World Service, Peter Horrocks, the French reporter Eric Joseph, Italian journalist Andrea Bonnani, and the British investigative journalist John Sweeney.

To view the open letter sent to Public Service Broadcasters click here.

To view the open letter sent to the European Commission click here.