Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, June 2002

European Commission's new home page launched

The European Commission's new home page has now gone live at http://europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm/. Following the new thematic approach, it now links in many, though not all cases, to new subject portals which bring together a range of related information on the various topics. As outlined in a previous article the new page contains a great deal of information compared with the previous more minimalist approach. Information sources feature in the bottom part of the right hand column, with direct links at this level to official documents, publications, archives, the register of documents, press releases, public opinion polls and statistics. Once users become familiar with its layout the page should provide a fast and direct route to a wide range of material and sources.

Eurobarometer opinion poll

A recent public opinion poll which will be of particular interest to information providers is Eurobarometer 56.3 (Special Bureaux 2002) Getting information on Europe; The enlargement of the EU; Support for European integration. The full text can be found on the web at http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb56_3/eb56_3_en.htm/. The EU-15 Complete Report in pdf is a hefty 939kb. Alternatively the executive summary weighs in at a more manageable 166kb. It is also possible to view the individual country reports in full or in executive summary format (thought the full version of the United Kingdom report is not at present there). The section on where people find information on Europe will no doubt be the focus of interest to information providers. The report findings come as no surprise with television and newspapers the preferred choice and radio taking third place.

The survey notes however the difference in UK television watching patterns compared with our European neighbours. The interest in news and documentary programmes is markedly lower here, which does not bode well for using this medium as a means of disseminating information widely. The editorial attitude of a number of the daily newspapers is also seen as problematic in trying to deliver factual information about the EU. On the positive side the Internet is identified as a good route in the UK in comparison with other member states.

The survey also looked at dissemination of EU information through official EU information providers. Despite the low level of awareness of these services, there seems to be a high level of satisfaction amongst those who have obtained information in the UK through this route.

For full details of the survey results including information on the sampling procedure, attitudes towards information needs (or rather the perceived lack of need), and comparisons with patterns in our EU neighbours, see the web site above.