Euronews

Question for written answer  E-001836/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jean-Paul Garraud (ID)

Euronews, a channel said to be of European general interest, which, as such, receives an annual grant of EUR 25 million, accounting for 75% of the Commission’s ‘Multimedia Actions’ budget, has been facing serious financial difficulties for several years.

Indeed, after suffering a loss of EUR 19 million in 2018, as a result of risky partnerships, and in view of the non-certification of its 2019 accounts within the prescribed timeframe, Euronews was forced to launch a job protection scheme in November 2020.

This channel, 25% of which was taken over by US channel NBC News in 2017, is now 88% owned by an Egyptian billionaire.

Do the worrying financial situation of Euronews, its dependence on non-European powers and the announced reduction in the grant provided by the Commission not suggest its imminent demise?