European Parliament launches €9 million web TV

The European Parliament yesterday was full of activity as journalists and media personalities from all over the EU gathered to assist in the official launch of EuroparlTV, a new web-based TV channel of the European Parliament.

The new service was launched in the run up to June's European elections across the 27 member states, which will elect MEPs for a new legislature.

The web TV, a first of its kind for the EU institutions, is expected to cost €9 million a year in running costs, particularly due to the 20 different languages in which it is broadcasting.

Maltese is also available with Maltese staff employed on a full-time basis in Brussels to do translation and dubbing work connected with the Maltese language TV channel.

The president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pottering, who inaugurated the service during a colourful and animated ceremony, said that EuroparlTV should be an excellent internet tool for citizens, especially young people, to keep themselves informed about the activities and decisions of the directly-elected European Parliament. Such activities and decisions have an impact on the everyday lives of almost 500 million European Union citizens.

The channel, which can be accessed by everyone who has a broadband internet connection, will offer various programmes including features aimed at those with a particular interest in politics at the EU level, information addressed to schools and live debates and coverage of the plenary sessions of the EP from Brussels and Strasbourg.

EuroparlTV can be accessed at: www.europarltv.europa.eu.