The real Spring of Nations has begun in Europe. We have probably never seen such a scale of protests before. Angry farmers took to the streets in most EU countries. Regular clashes between farmers and the police take place in front of the buildings of the European Parliament and the European Commission. And the Polish media are silent. What is the reason for this?
Farmers’ protests have gained unprecedented strength. There have been isolated protests in individual countries in recent years, but so far they have never been directed directly at the European Union.
The European Union is like a colossus with legs of clay
Now everything has changed. Not only are all claims directed directly to Brussels, but farmers finally seem to be speaking with one voice. And the European Commission cannot remain indifferent in the face of such force, especially since in the last protest MEPs palpably felt the anger of farmers who protested in front of EU buildings in Brussels. And it must be admitted that they did it on a grand scale.
Overall, recent protests across Europe have been on the verge of peaceful protests and have gotten out of control at times. In Brussels, farmers were doused with water when they tried to get near EU buildings. In France, several farmers were arrested. In fact, straw bales and tires were burning everywhere. The view, it must be admitted, is spectacular. Just like videos of offices being doused with manure, or manure being spread in front of a chain of famous restaurants.
Looking at all this, it is impossible not to get the impression that Europe is burning. That we are witnessing another Spring of Nations, and the European Union will not survive this situation. Everything is shaking and EU commissioners must be aware of it.
Why are the national media silent?
However, this is a topic for other considerations. For now, let’s consider why virtually no media in the country reports that the EU is staggering like a colossus on legs of clay. Why is it that when the European Commission makes such important decisions that affect consumers, that is, each of us, the media is silent about it?
In order not to be false, I will present you the first pages of portals from recent days.
Let’s start with the national media.
We focus on the three largest portals in the country – Wirtualna Polska, Onet and Interia.
There is no mention of riots in Brussels or farmers’ strikes in any of the EU countries.
![wp.pl, fot. screen](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/70/180070_940.jpg)
Wirtualna Polska is entirely devoted to the situation in the country. At the forefront, it focuses on the situation of Maciej Wąsik – a politician who has recently been extremely loud in the context of the land scandal and the pardon he received from the president, Andrzej Duda.
Apart from domestic policy issues, it’s hard to find anything else. This is Polish political hell in all its glory.
![onet.pl, fot. screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/71/180071_940.jpg)
The situation is similar on the onet.pl portal. The difference is that at the forefront we have the case of Paulina Antczak. However, we are still surrounded by political mud. Even though more protests were announced in Poland several hours ago.
![interia.pl, fot. screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/72/180072_940.jpg)
Interia also does not surprise us with anything new. A Polish political quagmire, with a bragging post about the portal becoming a leader among online publishers in Poland. Farmers and protests in Brussels seemed to not exist.
Complete silence, which is at least puzzling in the face of the changes taking place.
Foreign media approach the matter completely differently. At least in some countries.
Let’s start with Spain. The daily La Razon notes strikes in its country, but there is no madness either. Well, let’s pay respect – compared to the Polish media, it is still a huge step forward. Farmers exist.
![La razon, spain.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/61/180061_940.jpg)
We stay in the reality of Spain for a moment. Portal
El Mundo. Here we can find a mention of the farmers’ protest in Brussels, which dominated the day today.
Although there is a small note, it is still on the main page of the portal.
![The world, Hiszpania.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/76/180076_940.jpg)
It doesn’t get much better than that. We look into our western neighbors. Out of several portals reviewed, only one informs that things are bad in the agricultural world. However, the article describes events in France from a few days ago. Not a word about Brussels.
![Bild.de, fot. screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/73/180073_940.jpg)
The further west you go, the better the situation is. So let’s move to Italy. Virtually every website there informs on its first page that there are problems in the agricultural world.
![Ansa, Italy photo: screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/65/180065_940.jpg)
Ansa reports on the situation in Brussels on its first page. He also reports that Ursula von der Leyen met with farmers. The Italian media does not disappoint.
![I will run from the mountains, Włochy, photo. screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/66/180066_940.jpg)
Corierre de la Serra also provides information directly from Brussels and clearly states how big a problem we have to face.
![La stampa, Italy, photo: screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/67/180067_940.jpg)
La Stapma, another of the largest Italian portals, reports on the situation in Brussels. On the first page we can see photos that largely illustrate what happened in Brussels.
What content does the portal provide in other countries?
France. That is, the country where the protests took the most severe forms. There was also spreading manure in front of offices, pouring liquid manure on buildings, and even covering highways with soil.
It turns out that leading newspapers have not ignored the farmers’ situation.
![Le Monde, France, photo: screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/68/180068_940.jpg)
In Le Modne, as the main text, we will find information about agricultural protests in the context of Emmanuel Macron’s statement in Brussels. While Macron was speaking, Belgian farmers were being poured water by the police behind the building’s doors.
![La Tribune, France, photo: screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/69/180069_940.jpg)
Another French daily, La Tribune, also refers to the situation of farmers. On the main page we can find information that farmers are satisfied with the promises made to them by the government.
![Le Figaro2, fot. screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/77/180077_940.jpg)
Less optimistic news is provided by LeFigaro, where on the home page we can find information that not all trade unions agree to suspend the strike. However, we are still on the main page of the portal, in the leading text.
In our review, it’s time to focus on Belgium, the center of the latest, most intense farmers’ protests.
As you might expect, agricultural problems are on the headlines here.
De Morgen keeps you updated on the situation in Brussels in a live report.
They found 50 billion euros for Ukraine, but not 1 billion for agriculture – complain farmers quoted by the portal.
![De Morgen, Belgium, foot. screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/74/180074_940.jpg)
De Tijd also reports on events in Brussels on its front page. Journalists warn that consumers must take into account problems in the delivery of goods, and therefore empty shelves in stores.
![de Tijd, Belgia, photo. screen.png](https://pliki.farmer.pl/i/18/00/75/180075_940.jpg)
We can also see great interest in the protests in Greece. Other than that, it’s basically quiet.
Are current national issues really more important than what is currently happening in Brussels? Will agricultural protests be pushed to the margins of attention until tragic events occur?
It seems that the food security of the country, or in this case the entire European Union, is treated as unimportant. When will consumers wake up? Or only when the store shelves are empty?
What is your opinion on this matter? I invite you to discuss.