'GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT'
January 23, 2005 12:00 AM
The EU has launched a new website to help North East people cut through the euro-myths and deliver the truth to their readers.
The future of marmalade, smoky bacon crisps, yoghurt and model railways have all been threatened by Brussels, according to recent national newspaper articles. In fact none of these will be banned, but that does not seem to stop newspapers from printing such stories.
The 'Get Your Facts Straight' website has criticised most British national newspapers for incorrectly reporting the EU's work, with The Sun and The Mail coming top in getting the story wrong.
North East Euro-MP Fiona Hall claims there are a number of reasons for the widespread misreporting of the EU.
"Some newspapers simply do not understand how the EU works but others have a deliberate agenda to portray the European Union in the worst possible light.
"One reason for misrepresentation of EU law is the over-zealous interpretation by the government, local authorities or trade associations. For example a local authority in Wales incorrectly interpreted an EU law on the disposal of animal by-products as a ban on butchers giving bones to dogs."
Although intended for journalists, Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall hopes the public will use the website, even if newspapers continue to twist the facts.
"Publishing this information is a small step towards countering myths and distortion spread by the eurosceptic press but a lot more needs to be done.
"If we can't have an informed debate about bendy bananas or the banning of DIY how can we have one about big issues like the euro or the European constitution?"
The 'Get Your Facts Straight' website can be found at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/press_communication/facts/index_en.htm
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