Analysis: Web independence comes under lobby attack

By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 7 Aug 2006 at 15:22

A recent EU Green Paper on transparency proposed a voluntary registration system for lobbyists, which the CEO believes is inadequate.

'The voluntary codes of conduct developed by the lobbying firms in Brussels fail to ensure transparency about who lobbies the EU and on whose behalf,' said the campaign group's Erik Wesselius. 'Lobbyists who want to stay in the shadow will continue to do so.'

'The increase of deceptive lobbying practices, such as pseudo-NGOs (non-governmental organisations) established to advocate industry positions, is another reason why transparency and ethics around lobbying can't be left to voluntary initiatives.'

During the debate over software patents in Europe, campaigners claim that big business lobbyists set up pseudo organisations to champion legislation that favoured their interests. Put simply, we don't know who's calling for new laws, and on whose behalf. Europe's electorate is sidelined by a lobbying industry believed to be worth €60 to €90 million a year.

Obviously, piracy and copyright control are serious problems that need to be resolved, but it's a distortion of democracy for industry to have more influence on policy decisions than the electorate.