EU TV debate more ‘little sister’ than Big Brother

Date: 02/12/04

By Martin Banks

THE Dutch presidency's hopes of staging a Europe-wide television debate on the future of the EU have received a tepid response from broadcasters.

The organizers wanted the debate broadcast throughout Europe, as part of the Dutch government's drive to make the EU more meaningful to its citizens. But while talks are still going on with several countries, it seems that broadcasters in only two other member states - Belgium and Slovakia - have shown a firm interest.

Outside the EU, Turkey, whose possible accession to the Union will be one of the issues to be debated, is also expected to broadcast the 45-minute programme.

Called How European Are You? it is being made by Endemol TV, the Dutch company that created the Big Brother format. It is to be shown by RTL 4, the leading Dutch TV station, on the evening of 12 December, the Sunday before the European Council, and will take the form of an interactive debate, covering topics from the single currency to the European constitution. The show will feature two “prominent” Europeans - and a 200-strong panel of viewers from different European countries, will vote for their preferred winner.

A spokesman for the show said: “We want to attract as many viewers as we can, particularly people who might otherwise not have much interest in the EU.”

Viewers will also be able to send text messages with questions and vote for their favourite participant.

The spokesman said: “We've deliberately timed the broadcast, a few days before the summit, to make it as topical as possible.”

Dutch European Affairs Minister Atzo Nicolaï said he hoped the show would contribute to efforts to 'reconnect' the EU with its citizens, one of the Dutch presidency's priorities.

“It is of great importance for everyone to form an opinion regarding Europe,” he said.

Leo van der Goot, RTL director of television, said: “We are glad to make a small contribution to a better understanding of Europe.”

Article reports that TV broadcasters across the EU showed little interest in a 45-minute programme called 'How European Are You?' produced by Dutch Endemol TV. The Dutch EU Presidency had hoped to stage a Europe-wide television debate on the future of the EU. The programme was planned to be broadcast on 12 December 2004 in the Netherlands as well as probably in Belgium, the Slovak Republic and Turkey.