EU Propaganda

Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group.

TheEuropean Union, since its founding, has been conducting a propaganda campaign to sway the attitudes of Europe’s peoples in favor of a common monetary union, and subsequently, of a common political union.

The EU’s governing elites disseminate information to influence the continent’s peoples into believing that continued integration is the best and only viable future, that there is a ‘European’ identity, and that the only alternative to the EU is a return to an international environment of warring states. The EU sends the message that ‘The EU equals Peace’, ‘The EU equals progress’, ‘We are all Europeans’, and that ‘Brussels is the Boss’.

Via the use of symbols, images, music, institutions, tax money, the educational system, and law, the EU governing bodies maintain a constant flow of information, and affect almost all aspects of European life in an efficient top down approach.

Propaganda Strategies

Communicating Europe

The EU publishes promotional material such as pamphlets, booklets, advertisements, and films that project a benevolent and supportive image of its self.

The publication “How the European Union Works”, essentially describes why the EU is an amazing success story, and the pamphlet “Better Off in Europe” actually says that the EU “is delivering a better life for everyone” and describes the single market as “a winning formula”. A similar example is the ‘EUtube’ film and website “Europe and You in 2007 - a snapshot of EU achievements”.

The openly stated objective of the “Information and Communication Strategy” is to “boost awareness of the Union’s existence and legitimacy, polishing its image and highlighting its role”.
The Commision even uses phrases like “if you are lucky enough to be a citizen of the EU”, and has stated, “Neutral factual information is needed of course, but it is not enough on its own... Genuine communication by the European Union cannot be reduced to the mere provision of information”.

Funding the Cheerleaders

The EU pays huge amounts of money to organizations that support it.

The European Movement, for instance, which says it seeks to “transform the relations between the European States and its citizens into a Federal European Union,” 12 received €2.5 million in EU funding between January 2005 and October 2007 alone.

It also pours money indirectly into NGOs, think tanks, lobby groups that support its objectives and policies on education, energy, and foreign policy. For instance, when Foreign Secretary David Miliband announced in Parliament that a number of influential NGOs and charities supported the EU Lisbon Treaty in an effort to convince MPs to also do so, it was only after the vote in Parliament that it emerged that the organisations he cited receive EU funding.

Christopher Heaton-Harris MEP has estimated that the amount that the EU spends on outside organizations which support further integration is “well over £1bn”.

Buying Loyalty

The EU has a robustly funded policy of promoting a common European citizenship and culture

Specific lines in the EU budget show that more than €34m was dedicated to “Fostering European Citizenship” in 2008 alone, and a further €62m was spent on “Developing cultural cooperation in Europe.”

The EU’s €400 million Culture Programme states that: “For citizens to give their full support to, and participate fully in, European integration, greater emphasis should be placed on their common cultural values and roots as a key element of their identity and their membership of a society founded on freedom, equity, democracy, respect for
human dignity and integrity, tolerance and solidarity.”
The EU’s efforts to promote EU citizenship include funding for everything from ‘town twinning’, to ‘active European remembrance’ to “high visibility events such as commemorations, awards and Europe-wide conferences etc.”

In 2008 alone it spent €2.4bn at the very least - more than Coca Cola spends each year on advertising, worldwide.

Targeting Youth & Education

The Commission stated that, “It is above all through the involvement of young people that Europe will assure its future.”
It believes that “Particular attention should be given to young people and the education sector as a channel for helping people to learn about the European Union.”

ThE EU has already put in place an €885 million Youth in Action Programme, which “funds projects which are designed to encourage a sense of active European citizenship in young people”.

Under plans in a report to the European parliament, schools could be forced to teach lessons on the benefits of the EU. The document calls for the school system to be promoted in Britain and other member states so that they can "encourage the emergence of European citizenship from a very young age".

Conservative education spokesman in the European parliament, Emma McClarkin, said: "This looks like a license to force-feed pupils a very one-sided, starry-eyed version of what the EU is and does for its people. When you are talking about pushing propaganda at children, that is a little sinister." The report asks member states to include teaching about the EU in their national syllabuses, according to opponents. Classes in the European schools would also include lessons on how to be a good European.
European schools keen to benefit from Brussels' €69 million a year free milk scheme must display a poster outside their canteens showing the EU flag and stating that EU money paid for the drink.

Symbolism

Where there were no unifying European symbols, the EU created them to forward its agenda. It now possess a flag with a blue background and ten stars in a circle formation, which can be seen swaying in the air in every state, and a national anthem, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, which can be heard at all governmental and sporting events across the continent. Both its flag and anthem reinforce the concept of unity and European sovereignty. The EU even has listed its official motto as ‘Unified in Diversity’.

Since November 19, 2009 the EU has its first President, President of the European Council, a position that further symbolizes EU dominance over the individual states.
As the French Europe Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet said recently: “Symbols are necessary for Europe... they are the way to reach full European consciousness for the people. There is no identity without symbols.”

European Commission of Communication

The EU has actually created and funds the body called the Commission of Communication, which keeps the general public up to date with the EU and its events. It officially monitors public opinion and propagates information.

Timbro, the pro free market think tank, headed by Maria Rankka, the speech writer for the former Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, recently published a report that accuses the EU of creating an illegitimate "propaganda machine” and proceeds therein to identify the many aspects of the Commission of Communication’s propaganda efforts.

Timbro explains that, "The EU, at the tax-payers' expense, actively advocates more European integration and prevents free debate on the future of Europe, extending the limits of what we normally regard as communication".

The study notes that The European Commission allocates funds far in excess of its official €213 million communications budget to projects ranging from EU-sponsored radio stations and websites, such as Euranet and EUtube.

Media

Posters

Poster art is a mainstay of EU propaganda. It is striking, easily reaches voters, and is cheap and easy to produce. Pro- EU posters are put up in schools, factories, government buildings, telephone booths, and generally, wherever there exists an open public space.

EU posters are thematic and revolve around major campaigns. Posters were widely circulated, for example, in preparation for the vote on the Lisbon Treaty, which amended the Maastricht Treaty to further integrate the EU.

Picture 1:

Picture 2:
Increase your prospects, vote yes to Lisbon

Picture 3:
Yes Yes Yes Passion for Europe

Picture 4:
We’re stronger with Europe. Yes for Ireland’s Future

Picture 5:
United fist

Radio

Radio broadcasts are another significant source of EU propaganda. The EU funds many broadcasts and despite this funding, insists that they are independent. It is difficult, however, to assert objectivity and independence when the money trail leads to the Commission.

In 2006 the EU Commission set up a €2 million project openly targeting its non-democratic neighbor, Belarus, with the hope of bringing it into its sphere of influence. The European Commission says the stations, named European Radio for Belarus and Radio Baltic Wave, will deliver daily radio programming, covering both news and developments in the EU and Belarus. Some programs are also tailored to appeal particularly to young people.

The Commission also targets Ukraine with its EuropeAid’s €19 million Regional Information and Communication Programme, and broadcasts the radio program called Europe in the Hearts of Ukrainians. Reaching half a million Ukrainians, it seeks to increase awareness and understanding among the citizens of the area, about the EU, its policies and relations with their countries.

Tunisia is also a target, as the EU and The Anna Lindh Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures, set up a radio broadcast called The Waves of the Mediterranean, and spent €7 million on the project. It aims at bringing people and organizations of the region closer and promoting dialogue on common culture, education, science, human rights, sustainable development, the empowerment of women, and the arts.

Television

Popular broadcaster Euronews benefits from EU assistance to the tune of €10.8 million a year, raising questions over its objectivity.
Algeria is also a target via the EU-funded EuroMed-News TV which is part of EuropeAid’s €19 million Regional Information and Communication Programme. The EuroMed-News project aims to broaden knowledge about the EU's policies in the region and the relationship between the EU and individual Mediterranean countries. Spearheaded by France Télévisions, it brings together broadcasters in Europe and in Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Syria, Morocco and Lebanon. Together, they will produce 300 news features, 40 short current affairs programmes and nine 26-minute documentaries.

Cartoons & Comics

Like Captain America during WWII, the EU now has its own super hero, Captain Euro, to influence European children into supporting the EU from a young age. Captain Euro is a diplomatic hero who symbolizes European unity and values, and his arch enemy is Dr. Vidier, a former financier and ruthless speculator. ref></ref>

Open Europe released a report in January entitled, “The Hard Sell”, which highlighted not only the fact that in 2008 the EU spent more promoting itself than Coca Cola spends each year on advertising worldwide, but also their strategy of targeting young people.

CIVITAS, a research and educational designed to facilitate informed public debate, does “not wish to deny that keeping people informed is important. But there is a difference between keeping people informed and brainwashing. Not to blow our own trumpet, but maybe the Commission should leave the information provision up to truly independent organisations.”

Picture 1:
Captain Europe

Picture 2:
Captain Europe in Car

Art

The EU has set up the 2007-2013 Culture Program which has a budget of €400 million for art projects and initiatives to celebrate Europe’s cultural diversity and enhance its shared cultural heritage through the development of cross-border co-operation between cultural operators and institutions.

Music Competitions

The European Commission wants to link the Eurovision music contest to a television celebration of the EU's 50th anniversary.

Outlining the plans, Margot Wallstrom, the Swedish commissioner, enthused about beaming the "celebration" to all 25 member states. Viewers would be told about "the need of close co-operation in our common project", "solidarity" and "the benefits that European integration has brought to its citizens". This would be a significant propaganda victory given that 100 million people tune in to watch the Eurovision competition..

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