The foundation of the

European Observatory of Public Opinion

EUR.O.P.O

On 9th of May, Sunday, took place in the stiflingly full hall of the National Institution of Researches the first round table discussion organized by the European Observatory of Public Opinion having as subject the discussion on its statutory principals and its aims.
After the end of the 17 proposals/suggestions and the open discussion with the public, that lasted for four hours, the conclusion reached was the following:
Indeed, in Greek reality frequently appear phenomena of manipulation of the public opinion. These phenomena were initially attributed to the journalists or to the mass communication media - MCM, however, this is not correct even if superficially seems so. And it is not correct because on one hand the journalist is not the producer of the news, and on the other the MCM are simply the means of news transmission. The manipulation of public opinion, is created from forces that tend to produce information more compatible with the prevailing currents of public opinion, so that is becomes more comprehensible and acceptable with final objective the easier consumption of any products and results it produces. It was emphasized also, that based on this circle of influence, the public opinion, hence also the public that formulates the public opinion, is not irresponsible for those that are being served to it, and becomes an accomplice in the game of its manipulation. Finally, it was over emphasized that the forces that could improve this situation, are those that will spring up from the action of EUR.O.P.O which observes, records, studies and pronounces/adjudicates on subjects that interest more widely the public opinion, acting and affecting so much towards the direction of those who try to manipulate it, as much as to the increase of public's comprehension, so that it repulses such attempts. It was expressed the certainty, from the journalists speakers mainly, that the journalistic world and the MCM support and will support the effort of EUR.O.P.O, thus proving that they condemn the manipulation of public opinion and request the upgrading of the journalistic vocation and the role of the MCM.

Speakers were the following, in alphabetical order:

Votsis Aggelos
Pharmacist
Member of the central commt. of the Democratic Party in Cyprus

Yobazolias Makis
Journalist
Member of the directory board of Hellenic Democratic Company

Diamantidis Spyros
Medical doctor, vis.professor M.A
President of the Institute for Homoeopathic Research and Application

Theodorakidis Panayiotis
Prefectorial Councellor of Argolida
ex Military Press-representative of NATO

Karadanis Nikos
Tax consultor
ex General Director of the Ministry of Economics

Mari Ioanna
State Councellor

Metaxas Spyros
Journalist, Member of Athens Union of Editors of Daily Newspapers, Communication specialist

Nikolopoulos Helias
Professor of Constitutional Right in the Panteion University
Member of the secretariat of DIKI (political party)

Papathanasiou Fotis
Medical doctor
Professor of International Relations

Patoulis Georgios
Medical doctor
President of the Association of free professional medical doctors in Athens
Member of the Discιplinary Council of the Medical Association of Athens and of the Panhellenic Medical Association.

Rigopoulou Pepi
Professor in Athens University, department of Communication and Mass Communication Media.

Sarris Neoklis
Professor in Panteion University

Skiadas Eleftherios
Journalist

Tabakidis Nikolaos
ex Mayor of Agion Anargiron
ex member of the Council for Radio-television Control

Tzavlas Georgios
Reverend, head preast
Professor of Theology, Musician

Toparlaki Mara
Journalist
Prefectorial Councellor of Thessaloniki

Hatzikostas Hristos
Medical Doctor, President of the Pan-Cypriot Medical Homoeopathic Association

Greetings and messages of solidarity/support along with wishes for the success of the work of EUR.O.P.O sent the following:
The office of Vice-presidents of the Greek Parliament
The Mininster of Internal Public Administration and Decentralization mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos
The Minister of Health mrs. Marieta Gianakou
The Minister of Economy and Economics mr. Adam P. Regouzos
The President of the political party PASSOK mr. George Papandreou
The Professor mr. George Alexandros Magakis
The Member of the Greek Parliament mr Zagoritis Eleftherios
The Member of the Greek Parliament mrs. Evi Hristofilopoulou
The Prefect of Lakonia mr. Kostas Fourkas
The Mayor of Kos mr. Miltiadis Fakos
The Mayor of Argos mr. Dimitrios Platis
The ex Mayor of Lavreotiki and Prefectorial Councellor of East Attiki mr. Stavros Papastavropoulos
The Gen.Secretary from the Consumer's Gen.Secretariat of the Ministry of Development mr. Athanassios Skordas
The meeting attended messrs. Verivakis Eleftherios, ex-minister, Daskalakis Manolis member of PASSOK, Tzobanaki Maria, Municipal Councellor of Athens, the actors messrs. Yannis Voglis, Fedon Georgitsis, Karteros Katsulis, Adonis Ludaros and the Olympic winner in Greek-roman wrestling Kostas Thanos