Recession hits European News coverage

The Irish Times has reported on the dwindling number of journalists posted at Brussels, with rumours that the BBC will not replace Mark Mardell as their EU correspondent. The lack of Irish reporters there is lamentable, especially considering the political relevance of the EU to Ireland, whether or not the editorial line is pro- or anti-EU - it's a blow to serious, informed journalism.

Not only does Denmark, of a similar population size to Ireland, have more journalists, but Norway has more than double the Irish journalistic contingent and Switzerland has more than double that, despite their non-member status.

The European Parliament Groups will have to step up political engagement with the public (or really start it) if they want the attention of the media. It's a frail hope that they will, but I can't see the media covering the EU out of a sudden new-found sense of public duty...