You may be right about the language barrier. But I do not think that this is the main factor. Take the United Kingdom, for instance. Scotland and England share a common language. However, according to the Brexit vote, the Scottish people feel closer to the EU than the UK. It is true that in the referendum for independence the Scottish electorate chose to remain member of the UK (by a relatively narrow margin), but this was done on the understanding that the UK would remain in the EU.
One of the differences is that the English and Scottish know each other very well, whereas many European countries (especially the smaller ones) are often a mystery or seen through the lens of stereotypes by their neighbours. And the UK has the BBC, where politicians on either side of the border can be held to account and voted in and out accordingly. I guess language leads to many other factors and, as you say, Scotland is a good example of that.
Thanks, yes as a genuine liker of the EU I find it sad that Euronews is such an insipid channel. I am an Irishman living in Switzerland (married to an Italian) and I would like more EU wide news because the national channels show mostly their own content but I'm often more interested in international affairs. So a typical news day for me is James O'Brien on LBC, TV24 and La 7 news, Channel 4 News and in between to know what the hell is going on in the rest of the world apart from the current 24 hour current story, I watch Al Jazeera in English. I particularly like hearing opinions such as from Marwan Bishara or I still miss being able to see Irish News or Danish News (as I spent 5 years there). Of course I prefer English but it tends to get very Ameracinased whatever channel I watch. I think I would love a Euronews 24 hour Channel mostly in English but also in any other language say 30% and not be afraid to be slightly left leaning as right wing seems too dominant.
Wow Liam, I thought I checked lots of European news sources, but you beat me by a mile! Love the variety as well (i'm a big LBC fan) from La7 to Al Jazeera. Regarding a really European news channel, I wonder how far away we are from having AI that truly and reliable manages to simultaneously translate speech. That would be a game-changer for pan-European broadcasting. Maybe in our lifetimes?
Dear Barbara. I live in South Africa. I know of no credible broadcaster that covers African issues as a whole and which enjoys credibility, not even in the English speaking-ex British colonies - countries. As a result we talk in our own bubbles and suspicion here of outsiders from our fellow African countries is terribly high. The AU is of almost no interest to south africans. Of course Africa is huge and diverse, so there will never be a common language. It's a pity as Africa needs to stand together and co-operate to raise pitiful living standards and deal with corruption and exploitation. Europe largely shares a common religion but has been at war with itself since the dawn of time. Africa has hundreds of religious belief systems and languages. I agree communication between reasonable people can solve most problems though-but not all. All the best Barbara.
Hello David, It's difficult to compare Europe to Africa, not least because of land size and population, and the AU and EU are very different political entities, the EU being much more involved in the lives of Europeans. It's interesting how many of the International channels are trying to focus on Africa more (Africa Eye from the BBC for example). Certainly Al Jazeera English cares deeply about its African audience though considering the vastness and complexity of the continent, the coverage is never as extensive as it should be on any of the channels.
You may be right about the language barrier. But I do not think that this is the main factor. Take the United Kingdom, for instance. Scotland and England share a common language. However, according to the Brexit vote, the Scottish people feel closer to the EU than the UK. It is true that in the referendum for independence the Scottish electorate chose to remain member of the UK (by a relatively narrow margin), but this was done on the understanding that the UK would remain in the EU.
One of the differences is that the English and Scottish know each other very well, whereas many European countries (especially the smaller ones) are often a mystery or seen through the lens of stereotypes by their neighbours. And the UK has the BBC, where politicians on either side of the border can be held to account and voted in and out accordingly. I guess language leads to many other factors and, as you say, Scotland is a good example of that.
Thanks, yes as a genuine liker of the EU I find it sad that Euronews is such an insipid channel. I am an Irishman living in Switzerland (married to an Italian) and I would like more EU wide news because the national channels show mostly their own content but I'm often more interested in international affairs. So a typical news day for me is James O'Brien on LBC, TV24 and La 7 news, Channel 4 News and in between to know what the hell is going on in the rest of the world apart from the current 24 hour current story, I watch Al Jazeera in English. I particularly like hearing opinions such as from Marwan Bishara or I still miss being able to see Irish News or Danish News (as I spent 5 years there). Of course I prefer English but it tends to get very Ameracinased whatever channel I watch. I think I would love a Euronews 24 hour Channel mostly in English but also in any other language say 30% and not be afraid to be slightly left leaning as right wing seems too dominant.
Wow Liam, I thought I checked lots of European news sources, but you beat me by a mile! Love the variety as well (i'm a big LBC fan) from La7 to Al Jazeera. Regarding a really European news channel, I wonder how far away we are from having AI that truly and reliable manages to simultaneously translate speech. That would be a game-changer for pan-European broadcasting. Maybe in our lifetimes?
Dear Barbara. I live in South Africa. I know of no credible broadcaster that covers African issues as a whole and which enjoys credibility, not even in the English speaking-ex British colonies - countries. As a result we talk in our own bubbles and suspicion here of outsiders from our fellow African countries is terribly high. The AU is of almost no interest to south africans. Of course Africa is huge and diverse, so there will never be a common language. It's a pity as Africa needs to stand together and co-operate to raise pitiful living standards and deal with corruption and exploitation. Europe largely shares a common religion but has been at war with itself since the dawn of time. Africa has hundreds of religious belief systems and languages. I agree communication between reasonable people can solve most problems though-but not all. All the best Barbara.
Hello David, It's difficult to compare Europe to Africa, not least because of land size and population, and the AU and EU are very different political entities, the EU being much more involved in the lives of Europeans. It's interesting how many of the International channels are trying to focus on Africa more (Africa Eye from the BBC for example). Certainly Al Jazeera English cares deeply about its African audience though considering the vastness and complexity of the continent, the coverage is never as extensive as it should be on any of the channels.
Yes it's so different I agree. I like that Al Jazeera does cover Africa quite well with some great stories. Go well.