THE HONEYBALL BUZZ

Last week, public affairs firm Waggener Edstrom published the findings of their ‘Brussels Blogger Study’. Having assessed the relevance and reach of thirty EU policy-related blogs, the firm produced a top ten of those they considered to be most influential. Since then, the EU-blogosphere has been aflame with discussion. Many have been condemning, criticising the stringent selection criteria (blogs had to be English-language, EU-based and almost solely EU-focused to be considered) and questionable methods for assessing influence. But, whilst most concluded that there were some important voices missing from the ranking, nobody seems to have considered the strengths and weaknesses of the blogs that were included, so I’ll try and offer a brief review here.

The BBC’s Gavin Hewitt (pictured) topped the list, ranking especially highly in reach and influence. It’s easy to see why he scored well in this respect: the blog benefits from being hosted by the BBC news website, and Hewitt’s offerings are salient and well-written, addressing EU developments alongside broader European affairs. In some ways, however, being at the BBC can be a bit of a disadvantage. Although his posts are less formal than conventional news stories, they are necessarily neutral in tone, and perhaps lacking in personality because of it. Interactivity is also hindered – only BBC links are offered and whilst the site attracts thousands of comments, the board all-too-often collapses into a forum for uninformed anti-EU polemic.

Next on the list is the Financial Times’ Brussels Blog. This is more EU-focused than Hewitt’s blog and, as you might expect from the FT, it’s especially concerned with economic affairs. Posts are detailed, but engaging and readable, with a more distinctive voice than that of the self-consciously neutral BBC offering. Updated several times a week and easy to negotiate, the Brussels Blog is fairly interactive, with content tagged, twitter links posted, and a Euro blogroll included.

 The Digger comes in at third. Given that the author Stephan Gardner hasn’t posted for almost two months, this ranking seems slightly questionable, but I’ll disregard the sporadic nature of his updates for the moment, and consider the content. The defining feature of this blog is its focus on climate change and environmental issues: posts offer detailed coverage of relevant EU policy developments, and are well-evidenced, with references to official documents and proceedings. Those without a special interest in environmental affairs might, however, find The Digger a bit staid, especially since the site has no twitter feed or photos to liven things up.

Fourth-placed Fistful of Euros certainly can’t be criticised for a lack of variety in content. With fifteen contributors and a commitment to offering a genuinely pan-European perspective on politics, economics and culture, the blog is sweeping in scope. Recent posts have covered Latvian economic turmoil, Cameron’s ‘big society’, and Croatia’s chances of being admitted to the EU. Contributions tend to be long and detailed, and this usually allows for in-depth and engaging analysis, but sometimes comes at the cost of clarity. Economics posts, especially, are often dense with figures and specialist language. Still, the site is content-rich and attractive, and it offers an extensive list of links from across the political spectrum and Europe.

 Jon Worth comes next in the list. As one of the most long-standing EU bloggers, with a style that is informed, idiosyncratic and accessible, it’s hard to dispute that he’s deserving of a place in the top ten. Jon is a self-described ‘European, social democrat, federalist, feminist and atheist’, and his posts are correspondingly diverse. In recent weeks he’s commented on the perpetuation of gender stereotyping on London’s Underground, Swedish social democracy, and the performance of Baroness Ashton. An engaging and interactive website design – with a live twitter feed, youtube links and plenty of pictures – only adds to the appeal.

 I’m a fan and would have voted Jon far higher up the scale.

 Stanley’s Blog is ranked sixth. A former lawyer, now a political analyst and media commentator, Stanley Crossick offers intelligent and lucid analysis of EU policies and institutions. He’s an enthusiastic proponent of greater co-operation amongst EU member states, and his posts reflect this. Stanley is also a China specialist, enabling him to supplement his EU focus with discussion of broader international developments.

The seventh-placed Open Europe blog provides a lone voice of Euro scepticism, with posts tending to promote the think-tank’s call for ‘radical reform’ of the EU. Recent post include elaboration of the rather dubious argument that ‘European greatness’ was the product of centuries of conflict and competition. The author does concede that ‘the rise of the nation-state was coupled with wars and, at times, nasty expressions of nationalism’, but ultimately concludes that greater harmonisation would be damaging. Unsurprisingly, Tories and eurosceptics feature heavily in the blogroll, and the few comments posted tend to declare support for withdrawal.

Julien Frisch, the blogger ranked eighth in the survey, has now stopped posting, so I’ll move onto the ECJ Blog at number nine. Here, Allard Knook, a solicitor specialising in European and administrative law, offers informed and incisive analysis of developments in the European Court of Justice. As you might expect, the focus is narrow and writing style legalistic, so this isn’t a site for the uninitiated; instead, it’s designed more as an up-to-date reference point for those with prior knowledge of European Law. The design of the website reflects this – its clear and easy to negotiate, but there’s little scope for interaction.

Occupying the final space (and representing the only woman!) in the top ten is Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission and European Digital Agenda Commissioner. Updating regularly, Kroes offers coverage of EU efforts to promote digital inclusion and technological advancement, and comments more broadly on achievements in European politics, business and technology. Her tone is refreshingly enthusiastic, and though there’s no direct provision for responding to blogs, Kroes is contactable via facebook and twitter links.

 Two final thoughts. I welcome Waggener Edstrom’s analysis but it seems poor on qualitative work. If a public sector organisation published a top ten which contained two entries which were no longer valid I think we all know the tone of comments that would be made. For a public affairs company this is sloppy. The survey says

“Are they current? Bloggers must have posted in the last two weeks at least.”

Really?

 Second, I have a vested interest of course but Waggener Edstrom claim

 “What this survey does do is attempt to identify the key voices in the Brussels influencer landscape.”

Clearly MEPs are not key players as this blog, The Honeyball Buzz, Daniel Hannan and Roger Helmer were not included in the survey of 30 Brussels related blogs. Maybe the next time one of Waggener Edstrom’s lobbyists tries to see me, my staff should refer him or her to their company’s views about my level of influence…”

…and if you want to right that” “injustice” and vote for a MEP blog you can do so here before 31st July!