The Refugee/Migrant Crisis is the Responsibility of the EU
It is absolutely extraordinary that the EU has escaped massive censure in the media for its incompetence in managing the refugee crisis. After the Lisbon Treaty six years ago the EU has total control of this area (Treaty on Functioning of the EU).
Have the media been subverted or are journalists really stupid? If this were the incompetence of the British government the press would be screaming for scalps.
Even before Lisbon the EU had set up "Frontex" to ensure:
Treaty on the Functioning of the EU
POLICIES ON BORDER CHECKS, ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION Article 77
1. The Union shall develop a policy with a view to:
(a) ensuring the absence of any controls on persons, whatever their nationality, when crossing internal borders;
(b) carrying out checks on persons and efficient monitoring of the crossing of external borders;
(c) the gradual introduction of an integrated management system for external borders.
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures concerning:
(a) the common policy on visas and other short-stay residence permits;
(b) the checks to which persons crossing external borders are subject;
(c) the conditions under which nationals of third countries shall have the freedom to travel within the Union for a short period;
(d) any measure necessary for the gradual establishment of an integrated management system for external borders;
(e) the absence of any controls on persons, whatever their nationality, when crossing internal borders.
3. If action by the Union should prove necessary to facilitate the exercise of the right referred to in Article 20(2)(a), and if the Treaties have not provided the necessary powers, the Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, may adopt provisions concerning passports, identity cards, residence permits or any other such document. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.
4. This Article shall not affect the competence of the Member States concerning the geographical demarcation of their borders, in accordance with international law.
Have the media been subverted or are journalists really stupid? If this were the incompetence of the British government the press would be screaming for scalps.
Even before Lisbon the EU had set up "Frontex" to ensure:
•
The Coordination of operational cooperation between Member States regarding the management of external borders.
•
Assisting Member States in the training of national border guards.
•
Carrying out risk analyses.
•
Following up the development of research relevant for the control and surveillance of external borders.
•
Assisting Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance at external borders.
•
Providing Member States with the necessary support in organising joint return operations.
Treaty on the Functioning of the EU
POLICIES ON BORDER CHECKS, ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION Article 77
1. The Union shall develop a policy with a view to:
(a) ensuring the absence of any controls on persons, whatever their nationality, when crossing internal borders;
(b) carrying out checks on persons and efficient monitoring of the crossing of external borders;
(c) the gradual introduction of an integrated management system for external borders.
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures concerning:
(a) the common policy on visas and other short-stay residence permits;
(b) the checks to which persons crossing external borders are subject;
(c) the conditions under which nationals of third countries shall have the freedom to travel within the Union for a short period;
(d) any measure necessary for the gradual establishment of an integrated management system for external borders;
(e) the absence of any controls on persons, whatever their nationality, when crossing internal borders.
3. If action by the Union should prove necessary to facilitate the exercise of the right referred to in Article 20(2)(a), and if the Treaties have not provided the necessary powers, the Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, may adopt provisions concerning passports, identity cards, residence permits or any other such document. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.
4. This Article shall not affect the competence of the Member States concerning the geographical demarcation of their borders, in accordance with international law.
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It isn't the duty of the media to form an opinion on what is going on. Merely to report it. If you want a media that has an opinion, go to Russia, China or the Middle East.
It is for politicians and political organisations to have opinions, but since they generally reflect the opinions of the electorate they represent, ultimately it is our fault for not putting pressure on them to do the right thing.
It is for politicians and political organisations to have opinions, but since they generally reflect the opinions of the electorate they represent, ultimately it is our fault for not putting pressure on them to do the right thing.
Original post by ByEeek
It isn't the duty of the media to form an opinion on what is going on. Merely to report it. If you want a media that has an opinion, go to Russia, China or the Middle East.
It is for politicians and political organisations to have opinions, but since they generally reflect the opinions of the electorate they represent, ultimately it is our fault for not putting pressure on them to do the right thing.
It is for politicians and political organisations to have opinions, but since they generally reflect the opinions of the electorate they represent, ultimately it is our fault for not putting pressure on them to do the right thing.
The UK media can be very biased if it wants to be, and is definitely not without opinion. At the extreme case, look at media outlets such as Daily Mail, The Sun etc and in the less extreme cases, the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph etc.
Original post by Fas
The UK media can be very biased if it wants to be, and is definitely not without opinion. At the extreme case, look at media outlets such as Daily Mail, The Sun etc and in the less extreme cases, the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph etc.
Agreed - but the OP suggested it was the job of the media to censure what is going on. I feel the media have expressed a wide variety of opinion. Some compassionate, some not.
If countries had followed and implemented the law (Dublin Regulation) rather than been complicit in allowing migrants to freely pass through en route to UK/Germany/Sweden etc then this situation would not have been allowed to develop unchecked.
Original post by ByEeek
It isn't the duty of the media to form an opinion on what is going on. Merely to report it.
But they are not reporting that migration is an EU responsibility so the crisis is due to the actions of the EU.
They are not reporting that the UK is not part of Shengen and so has no responsibility for the large numbers of people that the EU has decided to admit. This was an EU decision and has brought the refugee/migrant crisis to the borders of the UK because of EU incompetence.
Original post by newpersonage
But they are not reporting that migration is an EU responsibility so the crisis is due to the actions of the EU.
I am not really sure which news you are consuming, but I am very much seeing a reporting of the problems caused by EU policy.
Germany has closed its border with Austria in an attempt force other EU countries to take their fair share.
Hungary passed a law yesterday which allows illegal entrants to be arrested. 500 were arrested last night and are in court today.
And so on and so on. It is all there fore the taking. You might not get such a balanced picture from papers like the Daily Fail or the Express.
Original post by ByEeek
I am not really sure which news you are consuming, but I am very much seeing a reporting of the problems caused by EU policy.
Germany has closed its border with Austria in an attempt force other EU countries to take their fair share.
Hungary passed a law yesterday which allows illegal entrants to be arrested. 500 were arrested last night and are in court today.
And so on and so on. It is all there fore the taking. You might not get such a balanced picture from papers like the Daily Fail or the Express.
Germany has closed its border with Austria in an attempt force other EU countries to take their fair share.
Hungary passed a law yesterday which allows illegal entrants to be arrested. 500 were arrested last night and are in court today.
And so on and so on. It is all there fore the taking. You might not get such a balanced picture from papers like the Daily Fail or the Express.
You have just described how the media is blaming Austria, Hungary etc. The EU has direct responsibility, these States are acting as contractors.
If the media does not hold the EU to account it is failing in its role as the "fourth estate".
Original post by newpersonage
You have just described how the media is blaming Austria, Hungary etc. The EU has direct responsibility, these States are acting as contractors.
If the media does not hold the EU to account it is failing in its role as the "fourth estate".
If the media does not hold the EU to account it is failing in its role as the "fourth estate".
The media have no responsibility to hold anyone to account. They merely report the facts. Sure, they offer opinions and comment but it is not their job to stand up and suggest that what is going on is wrong. That job is for the opposition parties.
The problem going on in the politics of the EU is that no consensus can be reached because each head of state is mindful of their own constituents. This is why Cameron has pledged support for a mere 5000 refugees a year and not the 1 million Germany seem happy to accept.
When you say "we", do you mean, you and I, the media, or the UK? I hardly think the UK is in a position to lecture the EU on migration policy. It isn't the job of the press and as for you and I, well we could sign a petition and pat ourselves on the back.
Hmmm - I reject ****ty nappies. It doesn't mean I don't still have a responsibility to change them.
We are in the EU (complete with all the ups and downs it gives us). To say "I disagree therefore it is not my problem" is rather pathetic IMO.
We are in the EU (complete with all the ups and downs it gives us). To say "I disagree therefore it is not my problem" is rather pathetic IMO.
Original post by gladders
Yes, the EU has been rather sloppy on this. But it can only do these things through Member States. If Member States don't play ball, then the EU is powerless. This is something we should censure the states for.
Unless you propose we turn the EU into a full-blown state!
Unless you propose we turn the EU into a full-blown state!
The EU opened the borders and is now dithering over the consequences. The member states have the status of subcontractors to the EU on border control. See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:105:0001:0032
N:PDFPraising the EU for free movement must also involve condemning the EU for failure to manage external borders.
Humgary is merely obeying the second part of the EU Regulations that allowed rapid entry:
"Provision should be made for relaxing checks at externalborders in the event of exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances in order to avoid excessive waiting time at borders crossing-points. The systematic stamping of thedocuments of third-country nationals remains an obligation in the event of border checks being relaxed. Stamping makes it possible to establish, with certainty, the date on which, and where, the border was crossed, without establishing in all cases that all required travel document con-trol measures have been carried out.
Original post by ByEeek
The media have no responsibility to hold anyone to account. They merely report the facts. Sure, they offer opinions and comment but it is not their job to stand up and suggest that what is going on is wrong. That job is for the opposition parties.
The problem going on in the politics of the EU is that no consensus can be reached because each head of state is mindful of their own constituents. This is why Cameron has pledged support for a mere 5000 refugees a year and not the 1 million Germany seem happy to accept.
The problem going on in the politics of the EU is that no consensus can be reached because each head of state is mindful of their own constituents. This is why Cameron has pledged support for a mere 5000 refugees a year and not the 1 million Germany seem happy to accept.
The State media such as the BBC and Channel 4 have a statutory responsibility to be impartial. Both of these organisations praise the free movement of people within the EU at every opportunity but when it comes to analysing the other side of the EU's responsibilities, external border control, it blames the Nation States.
The EU has clear responsibility for external borders http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:105:0001:0032
N:PDFYes, you are quite right, the EU Council is dithering, it is incompetent and has left the the Nation States to take the blame.
Even when the Nation States introduce provisions that are clearly described in the EU Rules they get blamed:
"15. Member States should also have the possibility of tempo-rarily reintroducing border control at internal borders inthe event of a serious threat to their public policy or internal security."
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by newpersonage
The State media such as the BBC and Channel 4 have a statutory responsibility to be impartial. Both of these organisations praise the free movement of people
The BBC is not a true state media organisation. It is funded by the TV license but its output is protected from interference from the state by law. Please do not get it confused with the state media of countries like China or Russia where the media only sends out information approved by the state. Channel 4 is an independent media organisation funded entirely by advertising revenue.
Could you please provide examples of where the BBC or Channel 4 have praised the free movement of people throughout Europe?
Reporting that the Shengan agreement permits free movement of people is a simple statement of fact.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by ByEeek
The BBC is not a true state media organisation. It is funded by the TV license but its output is protected from interference from the state by law. Please do not get it confused with the state media of countries like China or Russia where the media only sends out information approved by the state. Channel 4 is an independent media organisation funded entirely by advertising revenue.
Could you please provide examples of where the BBC or Channel 4 have praised the free movement of people throughout Europe?
Reporting that the Shengan agreement permits free movement of people is a simple statement of fact.
Could you please provide examples of where the BBC or Channel 4 have praised the free movement of people throughout Europe?
Reporting that the Shengan agreement permits free movement of people is a simple statement of fact.
No confusion, the UK state media have a statutory responsibility to be impartial. Blaming Nation States for the crisis when it is clearly due to dithering by the EU Council is not impartial.
That Shengen also shifts responsibility for external borders to the EU Council is also a simple statement of fact. It is the other side of the free movement of people coin. The EU has a complete set of regulations for implementing its control: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:105:0001:0032
N:PDFWhy are you so keen to blame anyone but the EU Council? The EU is a holy cow, not holy.
Original post by newpersonage
The EU opened the borders
Schengen does not open the borders into the EU. It merely opens the borders between Schengen states.
Hungary is, quite rightly, trying not to allow undocumented travellers across its borders. Those that refuse to register as asylum seekers should be deported back to where they came from.
Even that would be a major concession as they are currently in a safe country (Serbia) and must have crossed at least two other safe countries to get there (if they came from Syria), so must be economic migrants. A huge proportion are Balkans country citizens trying it on anyway.
Original post by newpersonage
No confusion, the UK state media have a statutory responsibility to be impartial.
This is untrue. Its duty is to be balanced, which a very different thing.
Original post by Good bloke
This is untrue. Its duty is to be balanced, which a very different thing.
Even if we use the word "balanced" blaming the Nation States is not balanced and is a downright lie. The Nation States are acting according to EU Regulations in the vacuum provided by EU Council dithering.
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