Gov't wants to use soap operas to increase waning support for EU entry

In light of concerns about flagging support for European Union membership among Poles, the government would like to have popular soap operas aired to foster more positive views toward EU accession. While popular support for joining the EU, which Poland foresees happening in 2003, was 80% just five years ago, in recent polls proponents' numbers have slipped to under 50%. "We would like to address the idea of European Union membership in highly popular television programs, hopefully increasing support for accession," Karol Michalak, a spokesman for the government's EU integration office (UKIE), said. "We believe that programs, such as soap operas, can be key to achieving high support," he said, adding that UKIE head Jacek Saryusz-Wolski was keen on meeting with TV producers to discuss a possible strategy. (Reuters)