I get the suspicion that public relations techniques have completely taken over the ways by which we view developments in the various fields of life – politics, business, social welfare, culture, sport. Not the “real” facts count but how they’re being understood. The more that arising issues sound simple, definite and uplifting, the better. And their projection should be framed in as few words as possible for otherwise the whole topic is felt to be too abstruse and people... even those who seem to be very interested... will just drift away.

Indeed, even the most important objectives need to be reduced to a few slogans containing “positive” words in which one will probably fail to find a clear meaning after having tried to dissect exactly what such words mean.

Am I being too negative? Perhaps.

Even so, the case could be that some of our ways of thought and speech are becoming excessively influenced by information technology. This is prodding us almost naturally towards a focus on communications delivered in small information packets that combined, do not necessarily convey enough of the main message which they’re supposed to bring.

I cannot help wondering about this whenever I’m invited to follow some presentation or other on Power Point.

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DISCRIMINATION IN HUNGARY

One must remain sceptical about the many efforts being attempted within the EU between member states, or by the European Parliament, and/or by the European Commission regarding alleged infringements by governments of the so-called “rule of law”. Many such efforts are linked to political calculations played out at national or European levels. I accept that this does not hold right across the board for allegations being made. Yet even when allegations are on the ball, the tactics by which claims are put forward rely too much on partisan stratagems in order to get traction for what is being alleged.

However this reservation does not apply to the law that Hungary has just adopted, which most clearly discriminates against LGTBI people. It contradicts the EU’s basic values of respect for the human being and the rights which attach to the individual.

Beyond all calculations, and all calculations about any potential further calculations that could follow, it simply is not acceptable that a law like the one introduced by the Hungarian government should enter into force in any cranny of the EU.

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DIGITAL LEVY

Obviously, firms which provide digital services should pay in full the taxes that are due on their profits. First in line would be the GAFA firms, namely Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. It’s also obvious that this is not happening.

For quite a while, an assumption has been that they could be forced to come under a tax discipline that would oblige them to pay their dues by the introduction of a “levy” as a tax on all digital exchanges they carry out. GAFA players (as well as others in their situation) just do not like the idea, but it is gaining momentum.

Here is what I still cannot comprehend well in the “levy” proposal – if it is implemented, would it not be  the consumer/client who would have to finally pay it?

I might be rushing to conclusions but did not the European Court of Auditors recently raise a similar query?