→ ‘EU Commission doesn’t like interference’ says senior BBC journalist
𝗕𝗕𝗖 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗨 - 𝟳-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼
BBC News on 10 June inaccurately described how the EU functions.
Senior BBC journalist, Christian Fraser - who usually presents the BBC’s Context news programme - got the context of the European Commission completely wrong.
Reporting from Brussels for the European Parliament elections, Mr Fraser said, “There are two things to say about this [European] Parliament, it doesn’t work like a conventional Parliament.
“Legislation is reserved for the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU.
“They don’t like interference from the Parliament. They don’t like interference from the European leaders...”
The impression given was that it’s the Commission that has all the power in the EU, above that of the elected European Parliament and the elected Presidents and Prime Ministers of EU member states.
In truth, it’s the other way around. The Commission is the servant of the EU and not its master.
The BBC journalist’s incorrect description of the EU has provoked the ire of former British Members of the European Parliament.
Catherine Bearder, formerly a Liberal Democrat MEP, told me:
“How sad that again we hear what amounts to misunderstanding of how European Parliament works, alarmingly from the BBC who should know better.”
Former MEP Richard Corbett, who was Labour’s leader in the European Parliament, emailed Christian Fraser to explain that he had got it wrong:
‘Dear Christian Fraser,
'I must confess that I was shocked to hear you say just now on BBC news that the European Parliament is not like a normal parliament because "legislation is reserved for the European Commission".
‘This is entirely incorrect. Under the EU's ordinary legislative procedure, proposals require the approval of the European Parliament and the EU Council, with up to three readings in each body. They cannot simply be enacted by the Commission.’
Dr Charles Tannock was previously a Conservative MEP for London. He commented:
“The BBC Reporter really should be better briefed about the formal role of EU Institutions.”
[Dr Tannock resigned from the Conservatives in 2021].
Susanne Oberhauser, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK, responded:
"Let me clarify that the European Parliament, alongside with the Council of Ministers, is co-legislator. It is thus ultimately co-deciding on matters falling under the ordinary legislative procedure.
“The European Commission is not deciding on legislation, its role is to present draft legislation and ensure the implementation of all legislation in force."
Last week I emailed the BBC Press Office:
‘Do you agree that Christian Fraser’s statement about the European Commission was incorrect? Will you issue a correction? If not, why not?’
I am awaiting their reply.
© Report and video production by @JonDanzig
#EU #EuropeanUnion #Brexit @europeanparliament @EuropeanCommission @BBCNews
Негізгі бет BBC 'WRONG' ABOUT THE EU
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