Carta editorial ligada al contrato con la Unión Europea

I. Carta editorial ligada al contrato con la Unión Europea

 

1. DISPOSICIONES GENERALE

El contratante se compromete a no responder a ninguna instrucción, presión o demanda emitida por ninguna Institución o Estado miembro de la UE ni ninguna otra Institución o Estado a ningún respecto, en el marco de los “Servicios UE” que se compromete a prestar en virtud del presente Contrato.

 

Definiciones:

“Instituciones de la UE”
Designa a todas las Instituciones de la Unión Europea definidas por los Tratados.
“Servicios UE”
Designa a todos los servicios y programas que se ocupan de los asuntos europeos, prestados en el marco del presente Contrato.

 

2. CONTENIDO DEL PROGRAMA

2.1. A reserva de las disposiciones que se contemplan a continuación en el artículo 4, el contratante se compromete a prestar, en todo momento, Servicios UE que respondan a las normas más exigentes (especialmente en lo que respecta a contenido, calidad e integridad editorial). Por otra parte, el contratante se compromete a proponer que se aborden temas de lo más variado (en el marco no solamente de los programas en general, sino también de los días de la semana en el transcurso de los cuales, y de las horas durante las cuales, se van a difundir los programas), destinados a responder a las necesidades e intereses del público, conforme a las disposiciones previstas en el artículo 2.2.

2.2. Las disposiciones del artículo 2.1 estipulan que los Servicios UE deben:

  1. estar destinados a seleccionar, verificar y difundir la información relativa a la UE;
  2. apoyar y reflejar la diversidad cultural de la UE;
  3. ofrecer una cobertura global, ambiciosa e imparcial de los temas que conforman la actualidad de la UE y del mundo en cuanto que presenten una dimensión europea, y rendir cuentas de los debates entablados a nivel regional, nacional y comunitario;
  4. incluir programas de puesta en perspectiva y de explicación;
  5. incluir programas cimentados en el impacto de las acciones, decisiones y políticas de la UE, sobre la vida de los ciudadanos de la UE y reflejar las preocupaciones de públicos tanto regionales como nacionales.

2.3. El contratante se compromete a presentar una exposición imparcial, que será preparada o comentada por periodistas profesionales, de la actualidad del Parlamento Europeo, del Consejo de Ministros de la UE, de los Consejos Europeos, de la Comisión Europea o de cualquier otra institución u órgano europeo.

 

3. OBJETIVOS DE LOS SERVICIOS UE

El contratante se compromete a:

3.1. Publicar en su sitio web una declaración anual de sus compromisos frente a los telespectadores, que describa sus servicios para la UE, sus normas y objetivos, y facilitarla a cualquier persona que desee consultarla;

3.2. Redactar un comentario que incluya toda la información razonable sobre la ejecución del Contrato en el marco de un informe anual presentado conforme a las disposiciones estipuladas en dicho Contrato y publicar en su sitio web una síntesis que explique cómo:

  1. responde el contratante a los objetivos y normas fijadas en el marco de los principales tipos y servicios de programas suministrados al hilo de los Servicios UE;
  2. se aplican las normas editoriales a los Servicios UE y cómo las decisiones adoptadas permiten garantizar que se respetan dichas normas, verificando la medida en la que el contratante se pliega a las mismas;
  3. se han realizado las actividades de investigación y los estudios durante el año, para verificar las necesidades e intereses del público de los Servicios UE y que se han registrado los principales descubrimientos realizados al término de los mismos;
  4. dicho público formula las quejas, el objeto de las mismas, la forma en la que se han gestionado y en qué proporciones.

 

4. NORMAS EN CUANTO AL PROGRAMA

4.1. El contratante se compromete a hacer todo lo posible para garantizar que la difusión o transmisión de los programas, para o por cuenta o en calidad de una licencia emitida por el contratista que forma parte de los Servicios UE.

  1. se asemeja a un servicio perfectamente equilibrado y aborda una amplia gama de temas;
  2. se garantiza en las horas indicadas en el Contrato, o si no se estipula ninguna mención, a las horas apropiadas;
  3. aborda temas controvertidos con exactitud, objetividad y rigor, a la vez en el marco de los nuevos servicios del contratista y de cualquier otro programa más general que trate cuestiones de interés público, políticas o sociales, susceptibles de generar controversia;
  4. no incluye ningún elemento susceptible de ofender el buen gusto o la decencia, ni que anime a cometer actos violentos o a sembrar el desorden, u ofenda a los telespectadores o público;
  5. no implica explotación indecente de la sensibilidad de los telespectadores o de los oyentes ni ninguna explotación abusiva de las creencias u opiniones religiosas de los individuos que pertenecen a una religión o a una confesión religiosa particular;
  6. no comporta ningún sistema técnico que, mediante la difusión de imágenes de corta duración o por cualquier otro medio, explote la posibilidad de transmitir un mensaje o influir de cualquier manera en el espíritu de los espectadores de los Servicios UE sin que sean conscientes o plenamente conscientes de lo que pasa ante sus ojos.

4.2. El contratante se compromete a:

  1. elaborar y revisar al menos una vez al año un código que estipule las reglas que deben observarse a nivel de aplicación del artículo 4.1 anterior en el marco de los Servicios UE;
  2. adoptar las medidas necesarias para garantizar que se respetan las disposiciones del presente código en el marco de la ejecución de los servicios y los programas (reservándose el contratante el derecho a adoptar diferentes disposiciones del código en función del caso o de las circunstancias).

4.3. Las reglas especificadas en el presente código (artículo 4.2) deben, especialmente, garantizar el respeto por parte del contratante de su imparcialidad más absoluta, conforme al artículo 4.1, revistiendo esta condición gran interés, no solamente en el marco de dicho artículo, sino también en el conjunto de las disposiciones;

4.4. Por otra parte, estas reglas deben mencionar, en los límites que el contratante juzgue oportunos:

  1. el grado de objetividad que conviene respetar, de manera general y en el marco de circunstancias particulares;
  2. la manera en que este grado de objetividad debe respetarse en el marco de programas particulares.

Estas reglas deben, además, estipular que la objetividad de rigor no requiere la aplicación del principio de neutralidad absoluta para cada cuestión ni alejarse tampoco de los principios democráticos fundamentales.

 

5. INVESTIGACIONES

El Contratante se compromete a adoptar todas las medidas necesarias para realizar un programa de investigación y desarrollo destinado a verificar las necesidades e intereses del público de los Servicios UE, a nivel interno o en colaboración con universidades, empresas o cualquier otra entidad, según sea el caso.

 

6. ETHICS

6.1. El contratante se compromete a no ofrecer ni permitir a terceros que ofrezcan, a ningún miembro de las instituciones de la UE, regalos ni ningún otro tipo de contrapartida para animar de ninguna manera, ni recompensar por la ejecución o la no ejecución de una acción pasada o futura o de cualquier otro contrato, o por demostrar o abstenerse de demostrar algún tipo de simpatía o antipatía frente a cualquier persona al hilo de una acción o de cualquier contrato o convención.

6.2. La Comisión se reserva el derecho, en caso de quebrantamiento de la presente disposición por parte del contratante, uno de sus empleados o cualquier otra persona que actúe por cuenta de éste (con o sin el consentimiento del contratante) o de perpetración de infracción por parte del contratante, uno de sus empleados o cualquier otra persona que actúe por cuenta de éste en el marco del presente Contrato, a reclamar al contratante, al término de un proceso contradictorio, el importe o el valor de dicho regalo o contrapartida.

 

8. EU FRAMEWORK COMMITMENTS

As part of Euronews’ Framework agreement with the European Commission covering the period 2017-2021, Euronews is committed to

  • Progressively increasing and expanding the volume and impact of its reporting of EU affairs and policies
  • Improving the quality of reporting on EU affairs
  • Guaranteeing a European perspective in each of its language services
  • Improving digital coverage of European affairs as part of its wider multiplatform strategy
  • Ensuring an plurastic coverage of EU affairs, covering all audience groups
  • Reinforcing the production and distribution of content in Euronews’ EU languages
  • Reinforcing the production and distribution of content in Euronews’ non-EU languages
  • Exploring possibilities to broaden Euronews public service status, distribution activites and linguistic diversity within Europe

 

How this is achieved

Euronews fulfills the above missions using a range of approaches including:

  • Using correspondents and experienced freelancer journalists around Europe to report on the ground and bring different perspectives into coverage
  • Investing in original content around stories of European interest
  • Maintaining a multi-lingual team of journalists in Brussels to report on European Affairs through a range of programme formats
  • Working with partners to launch new programmes both on television and online
  • Improving and adapting journalistic workflows to take advantage of new technologies and presentation possibilities
  • Ensuring consistency of coverage by setting multilingual stories for production in all Euronews languages as part of the daily news agenda
  • Adapting content for different platforms, according to European media consumption habits
  • Covering major events as they happen with live images and/or text commentary
  • Conducting interviews with news makers from across Europe and beyond

 

II. Annual statement of commitment to viewers

 

Euronews wishes to show its viewers, on a daily basis, Europe as it is: richly diverse and complex.Ambition and impartiality are the guiding principles that will shape the media’s coverage of current events in and outside the European Union.A national focus is now too narrow for informing the public and debating the issues. Euronews is tracking the emergence, out in the field, of a genuine European public arena.Our broadcasting formats – reports, interviews and debates – are designed to observe how the European Union’s actions, decisions and policies impact on its citizens’ lives.

1. EUROPEAN MISSIONS TO INFORM

Euronews has been recognized a mission of European general interest in the field of information since 2010 by the European Commission.

To fully play its role as a transnational media organisation, Euronews must fulfil four European Missions to Inform: “News Brief”, “News Perspective”, “In Depth” and “Live”:

The “News Brief” Mission (EMI I) aims to provide viewers, quickly and concisely, with the day’s essential European news.

The “News Perspective” Mission (EMI II) aims to give them the keys to understanding European current events.

The “In Depth” Mission (EMI III) aims to help them explore the perspectives opened up by being a European citizen.

The “Live” Mission (EMI IV) aims to give them direct access, in real time, to the public debate and to the events that set the tempo of Europe’s institutions.

 

2. PRODUCTION STANDARDS

In carrying out these European Missions to Inform, Euronews undertakes to comply with high quality standards in order to meet viewers’ expectations and needs.

Independence

The channel pays special attention to its independence when treating topics to do with public-interest, political and social issues, and more generally with all news themes subject to controversy. Programme content must be produced without any pressure from any EU institution, political party or business entity.

In general terms, the duty of independence dictates the conduct of all participants in the editorial production process, from the gathering of news through to its airing. Euronews journalists therefore undertake to “resist every pressure and (…) accept editorial orders only from the responsible persons of the editorial staff” (1971 Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Journalists).

Impartiality

Euronews remains impartial while carrying out its European Missions to Inform. Impartiality is defined essentially as the search to reasonably compare points of view within the bounds of fundamental democratic principles. This consequently enables the topic to be given a horizontal (for/against) or vertical(EU/national/regional) dialectic treatment.

Diversity

The programmes made within the scope of the European Missions to Inform are produced with the constant care to promote cultural diversity, as defined by the Treaty (art. 151). They will aim, in particular, to improve viewers’ knowledge of the culture and history of Europe’s peoples.

Moreover, editorial decisions are always taken with the aim of achieving a thematic and geographic balance in the treatment of news, refraining, in particular, from giving greater emphasis to one national viewpoint than to another.

Respect for viewers

While carrying out its European Missions to Inform, Euronews takes scrupulous care to respect its viewers. Consequently, elements liable to offend viewers’ sensibilities are banned from its programmes.

This applies to all images and information that are manifestly incompatible with good taste and decency or liable to encourage or give rise to acts of violence or disorder.

Further, the editorial managers ensure that there is no indecent exploitation of viewers’ sensibilities, and no abusive exploitation of religious beliefs and opinions.

 

3. PROGRAMMING

To fulfil its four European Missions to Inform, Euronews has devised various Modules to fit better into its overall programme schedule. Below is an inventory describing their content (format, length and structure).

 

3.1 News modules

3.1.1 News mandatory & specifics

The production will be fed primarily by Euronews own newsgathering, driven by the enhanced production and journalistic capabilities, focusing more on our own original journalism, first-hand accounts, reactions and graphic elements, in order to decrease the use of news agencies.

Produced by specialist journalists, with content supplied by EbS but also footage from EBU member agencies or television channels, the Post-produced News packages give an update on a hot topic attracting public attention in Brussels or Strasbourg and in the member countries. The essential news about European institutions takes a central place in Euronews’ daily schedule, but is subject to increased editorial stringency compared to previous formats and to the general treatment of international news.

3.1.2 Live coverage

There is only one Module in this fourth and final European Mission to Inform: live broadcasts, with commentary and translation in seven languages, of the big events to do with the European Union and its institutions (European Parliament sessions, debates and votes; European Council meetings, press conferences, visits by heads of state and government, celebrations and commemorations, etc.). This direct access to the main events in European public life lets viewers make their own judgements about the decisions taken by the Union’s top bodies. These Live broadcasts may vary widely in length, depending on the event. On average, they will be 40′ long. They will amount to a yearly total of 31 hours and 20 minutes.

3.1.3 European Correspondent Network

Euronews’ freelance network focused on putting the spotlight on European citizens and their challenges and achievements.

Our coverage included topics such as the Swedish elections, anti-corruption protests in Romania, the Catalunya crisis in Spain, the bridge collapse tragedy in Italy, the San Sebastian film festival in Spain as well as numerous other daily stories from Eastern Europe to the West of Europe.

Having original content, featuring the voices of those living through the stories we tell has had a positive impact on output. Stories from our freelance network perform on average more than four times better than other stories on our website.

Euronews brings the voices of Europeans from all corners of the continent into our overall focus on the wishes, choices and issues of Europeans at a crucial moment in its history with the elections of 2019 (see Improving News Coverage section).

 

3.2 Programs

3.2.1 The Brief from Brussels

The Brief from Brussels is a daily news segment complementing Euronews’ overall world news coverage, bringing Euronews’ daily European affairs coverage into a designated news spotlight.

Launched in 2016, The Brief from Brussels has quickly become a strong contribution to Euronews daily news coverage, by bringing a new impetus in our European Affairs coverage through content and presentation. The Brief from Brussels is an evening prime-time presence, included in the evening presented news bulletins on World and all languages, but still marking it as such with dedicated graphics.

Euronews’ European Affairs journalists in Brussels will produce a combination of daily “mandatory” stories as well as “multiplex” ones (several language journalists coming together to produce a common story, each bringing his/her own national ingredients into the pan-European mix), both on the live channel and the other languages channels.

Each journalist will present these stories on camera, targeting their own audiences as well as each journalist going into the field to cover their own content, which is the mixed together into a global output by the Brussels bureau. Euronews World will cover the selected topics in the live formats of this channel through a flexible variety of elements: voice-overs on videos and graphics and main soundbites.

3.2.2 State of the Union

Launched in 2016, The “State of the Union” quickly established itself as a flagship program in our European Affairs news reporting, through the comprehensive content selection and analysis.

The State of the Union is the weekly round-up of the main European political stories, focusing on the main evolutions of the elections campaign, the post-elections developments and the headline making events and their reverberations across Europe. The program is presented by a Euronews Brussels journalist, recorded and produced on Friday, and broadcast from Friday evening through the weekend until Sunday evening.

3.2.3 Insiders

Insiders was launch in April 2016 as a 20-minute weekly program of investigative reporting, focused on European issues with different perspectives. The aim is to tell the often unreported or under-reported stories of European citizens and the challenges they face — be they economic, social or political.

Insiders is promoted digitally, not only on euronews.com but also with products especially designed for social media such as one-minute or less cut-downs of the show’s most poignant interviews and/or excerpts and short teasers for the program.

3.2.4 The Global Conversation

Conversations without filters, without digressions and without cuts.

This is the idea behind “Uncut – a special edition of the Global Conversation”, our unedited one-on-one interviews; a format we have successfully developed in 2018.

Uncut is an evolution of our flagship program The Global Conversation, where our leading journalists speak to high-profile guests about politics, business, culture and sport.

We will also keep developing the “All Views” strategy in the program, by inviting two or more guests offering different visions on an issue during some key episodes.

Uncut and Global Conversation are highly promoted on air and on our digital platforms. We regularly produce subtitled videos with the highlights of the show, along with articles and pictures that are highly share-able on the social platforms.

3.2.5 Magazines from different DGs of the European Commission

Over the past years, Euronews has consolidated a streamlined set of flagship programmes that present a pan-European perspective not only on the big stories of the day but on issues that affect Europeans that slip under the radar of other international media.

The ‘All Views’ message will remain at the heart of our magazines. Produced by journalists from across Europe, and with the mission to report from all corners of the continent and beyond, these magazines reflect the points of view, perspectives and opinions of as broad a cross section of Europeans as possible. This plurality of views remains a crucial mission statement for Euronews.

We continue to emphasize and innovate our current affairs output and enrich the content of programmes produced in partnership with the DGs. We see these programmes as a contribution to the dialogue and debate in the European public sphere, but also – reflecting the changing times we live in – juxtaposing, comparing and analyzing the national perspectives that reflect the enormous diversity of cultures and values across the Union.

The programmes co-funded by the DGs of the European Commission include:

  • – Aid Zone
  • – Business Planet
  • – Futuris
  • – Ocean
  • – Real Economy
  • – Smart Regions

 

3.3 Quantity per module

Besides the qualitative undertakings made above, Euronews also gives its viewers guarantees on how many units of each module will be broadcast yearly. Each European Mission to Inform thus has a clearly stated presence in the Euronews grid and programming.

MODULENB EPISODES PER YEAR
Post produced news stories1300
Specific post produced news stories340
Live47
The Brief from Brussels150
State of the Union47
Insiders10
Global Conversation – short format18
Global Conversation – long format8
Freelance Network

CANTIDADES ANUALES POR MISIÓN Y MÓDULO

Misión I – 1,227 News Brief

Módulo 01 – 141 News grabadas

Módulo 02 – 1,086 News posproducidas

Misión II – 198 News Perspective

Módulo 03 – 104 News Weekly posproducidas

Módulo 04 – 26 News Daily grabadas

Módulo 05 – 68 News Daily posproducidas

Misión III – 200 News In Depth

Módulo 06 – 47 Portraits & Interviews

Módulo 07 – 12 Debates

Módulo 08 – 47 magazines de 8 minutos grabados

Módulo 09 – 47 magazines de 8 minutos posproducidos

Módulo 10 – 47 Revisiones europeas

Misión IV – 24 Directos

Módulo 11 – 720 minutos de Directos europeos, repartidos en 24 programas de 30 minutos