Journalists @ Your Service (J@YS) is a help cen- tre and information hub for journalists, run by the AGJPB/AVBB (the Belgian Journalists’ Union), API/IPA (Association de la Presse Inter- nationale/International Press Association), EJC (European Journalism Centre), IFJ (International Federation of Journalists) EFJ (European Fed- eration of Journalists), Résidence Palace Inter- national Press Centre, and the local branch of the NUJ (the British and Irish Journalists’ Union). This guide was produced by J@YS (Journalists @ Your Service) Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, B-1040 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 235 22 52 www.brusselsreporter.eu [email protected] Introduction ..............................................................................................................................4 EU institutions under the Lisbon Treaty ...........................................................6 European Commission .......................................................................................................7 Spokespersons’ Service of the European Commission ...................................10 Audiovisual Service-European Commission ..........................................................25 Head and Press Officers of Representations in EU Countries ....................26 European Parliament .......................................................................................................34 EP President’s Press Office .................................................................................................36 EP Press Service........................................................................................................................36 EP Political Groups Press Service ...................................................................................37 Plenary Press Officers ...........................................................................................................39 EP Committees Press Officers by Policy Area ........................................................42 EP Press publications ............................................................................................................45 EP Information Offices in EU Countries ....................................................................46 Council of the European Union ................................................................................50 Rotating Presidencies...........................................................................................................51 European Council ................................................................................................................52 Council Press Office ..............................................................................................................53 Press Officers at Permanent Representations .......................................................57 European External Action Service (EEAS) ................................................................62 Other EU institutions ........................................................................................................63 EU agencies .............................................................................................................................68 International organisations ......................................................................................72 Lobby groups - NGOs ......................................................................................................74 Think tanks ...............................................................................................................................78 Information sources ..........................................................................................................80 Web-based information sources ............................................................................81 European wide news channels .................................................................................82 Accreditation .........................................................................................................................83 Tax guide ...................................................................................................................................89 EU jargon buster ................................................................................................................94 Media organisations in Brussels .........................................................................96 Reporting Brussels P.3 Introduction Brussels: capital of Belgium, European Union focal point and a global media centre Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, it is also the strategic hub of the EU institutions and concomitantly an international media centre. Around one thousand accredited journalists and audiovisual media live and work here to cover European affairs, NATO and events in Belgium, the Netherlands and other European countries. Many more journalists from all over the world visit Brussels for brief periods for EU related events or to report on the activities of the international institutions based here. For the last ten years, experienced reporters staffing Journalists @ Your Service (J@YS) have offered guidance to media professionals working in Brussels or passing through. This friendly helpdesk, launched in 2001 with the creation of the International Press Centre in the Residence Palace, comprises most journalist organisations based in Belgium. It operates during normal office hours in the heart of the European quarter, where a full-time coordinator is available to answer journalists’ questions on subjects as varied as accreditation with the EU institutions or helping to find suitable contacts for their reportages. In its ten years of activity, J@YS has organised, together with its members, conferences and roundtable discussions on topics relevant to the media and briefings to help new arrivals to Brussels learn some of the essentials of living and working in the city. In collaboration with the European Journalism Centre (EJC), J@YS also arranges seminars for journalists whether established here or newcomers to Brussels, as well as those visiting to learn more about the ‘European Project’. Regular exchanges take place between European journalists and their counterparts as far away as Japan and Korea. P.4 Reporting Brussels Now in its sixth edition, this vest-pocket guide contains a wealth of infor- mation and contacts, plus brief descriptions of the main EU institutions, EU agencies and some of the most relevant NGOs, international and Belgian organisations, media and lobby groups. For further information on the activities of J@YS and more details on “what’s on” for journalists, jobs offers, prizes and exchanges for the media, please check out its newly revamped website: www.brusselsreporter.eu. The whole of this booklet will be also available on the J@YS website. As a member of the API/IPA council and as a veteran journalist working here, I am confident this media guide will be an invaluable working tool for all. Maria Laura Franciosi President Journalists @ Your Service (J@YS) Brussels, June 2011 Reporting Brussels P.5 Institutions under the Lisbon Treaty The Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on 1st December 2009, has modified the EU’s structure. It increased the number of areas where the European Parliament shares decision-making with the Council of the European Union (Member States). It also increased the role of national parliaments by giving them more opportunities to provide a direct input into EU decision- making. This is because of a new early-warning system that allows them to comment on draft laws and to check that the so-called subsidiarity principle is adhered to and that the EU does not legislate on matters that would be better dealt with nationally or locally. The impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the Council of the European Union has led to more extensive use of ‘qualified majority voting’ in areas where unanimity was previously required. From 2014, decisions in the Council will require the support of 55% of the Member States, representing at least 65% of the European population. To move new policy areas from unanimity to majority voting, every Member State will have to agree and national parliaments will have a right of veto. The role of the European Commission has also been modified by the Lisbon Treaty. The separation of powers among the three main EU institutions has become less rigorous. The Council of the European Union now has a High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, the former British EU Commissioner for Trade, Catherine Ashton. She is also Vice President of the European Commission in charge of the foreign policy portfolio of the European Executive and heads a 3,000-strong EU diplomatic service. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the European Council, which is made up of heads of state and governments of the 27 Member States, has elected as its president, for a maximum of two and a half year terms, the former Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy who started his new job on January 1st 2010. For further information on the new Lisbon Treaty, see also http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/others/84/en.pdf P.6 Reporting Brussels European Commission Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 299 11 11 www.europa.eu The European Council’s appointment of the President of the Commission was ratified by the European Parliament. The Parliament re-confirmed José Manuel Barroso as President of the Commission, and he chose