It is clear that the public has an appetite for this type of content. Audience surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023 confirmed that 90% of respondents were interested in reading the news published in A European Perspective. And, with 350 million impressions since the inception of the project, their interest is clear.

A European Perspective has created a highly-impactful digital news initiative that draws on existing skills; leverages long-standing trust-based relationships with local audiences across Europe and amplifies the reach and trust of the participating brands.

Because it contributes to developing a European public sphere rooted in EU values; whilst it also aims to celebrate diversity and promote understanding between people across the continent.

It is an initiative that has the unique potential to act as a beacon for audiences seeking to navigate their way through an increasingly oversaturated and disordered media space.

A European Perspective has created a highly-impactful digital news initiative that draws on existing skills; leverages long-standing trust-based relationships with local audiences across Europe and amplifies the reach and trust of the participating brands.

A European Perspective acts as a powerful counterbalance to disinformation campaigns and agenda-driven narratives which seek to foment division and exploit fault lines between communities.

The publication Fact Checking Trends and patterns, developed by France Télévisions as part of A European Perspective, offers a holistic view of the threat of disinformation, including the latest trends. It also offers actionable recommendations that can be used in the fight for trusted information for Europeans.

As the digital age unfolds, disinformation and fake news find new channels of dissemination. With the Generative AI tools in the hands of citizens, the amplification of mis and disinformation is exponential now. The public service media are here to inform, entertain and educate. Media literacy with the focus on AI is an urgent need and sharing it with our audiences is key.

In relation to how AI is used, A European Perspective takes its cue from the AEP Digital News Platform (Newsdeck or the Eurovision News Monitoring Tool) which allows participating organizations to monitor online content produced by their peers in real time, using AI-assisted translation EuroVox, automatic content recommendation tool (PEACH) and filters to identify items of interest that will resonate with national audiences.

The use of AI aims to increase the relevance and diversity of news content using automated translations, text and audio transcriptions and story selection.

Where content featured in the recommendation box has been translated using automated tools, users will see the legend: “Translated with the help of Artificial Intelligence”. Where content has been automatically selected, either wholly or using algorithmic processes, it will be marked: “Selected with the help of Artificial Intelligence”.

Public service media are committed to using AI in a transparent way that respects fundamental rights; especially freedom of expression and information, enhancing cultural and social diversity.

Organizations participating in the project agree to adhere to the following editorial principles:

• Content should address themes that resonate with all Europeans because they affect multiple countries, societies, or identity groups.
• Content should inform, examine, and explain the impact of policies, decisions and actions made by European governments and institutions, assessing how they impact the lives of citizens in the furtherance of core democratic principles.
• Participants should embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that news content promotes voices, views, and personal testimonies from across Europe's social landscape, including those of vulnerable or marginalised groups.
• Content must be subject to independent and accountable editorial processes. It must be accurate, relevant, fair, and respectful, particularly regarding human dignity and diversity of thought.
• Content partners operate a systematic approach to handling audience complaints and corrections.
• Organizations commit to using AI in a way that respects fundamental rights, especially freedom of expression and information, and that enhances cultural and social diversity.

The above principles are anchored in the Public Service Media Core Values of universality, independence, excellence, diversity, accountability and innovation. Available here.

A European Perspective is co-funded by a grant from the European Commission’s Multimedia Actions program.

However, content production overheads are borne entirely by the participating PSMs, which retain full editorial control over their stories.

The Association Internationale sans but Lucratif (AISBL) EBU-UER in Brussels is responsible for managing the EU grant and progress reporting to the European Commission.

EBU Members guide the collaboration through a Core Working Group presided by Asun Gomez-Bueno (RTVE, Spain) and Eric Scherer (France Télévisions).

Although from June 2023, EU funding is coming to a close A European Perspective is a highly valued initiative and the participating media organizations are committed to continue sharing trusted content and different perspectives with audiences. The AISBL EBU-UER and participating media organizations will continue to invest in refining the tools and processes, while actively seeking further funding opportunities to accelerate the growth of the project.