I’ve been rediscovering the ‘EBS’ – Europe by Satellite online, which “consists of a mix of live events, news items, stockshots on EU policies and issues.” It really is both awful and wonderful. I’ve always sort of wondered about the small talk made by politicians when they greet each other before they get out their public speaking voice and carefully crafted scripts. Like that moment when they put on the ghoulish smiles and shake hands in front of the camera – I like to imagine they are whispering murderous insults to each other between their teeth (classic example here). And here it all is! You can actually witness those awkward moments when Barroso makes chit chat with Boris Tadic (Serbian President) who lets it slip that someone had needed to point out to him who the waving Commission President actually was.

I do think it’s a nice feature as a communications gesture to give the public insight on ‘high profile’ meetings and Bob Geldof’s jokes (“We’ve finished the meeting” he teases Barroso on arrival), but it makes you realise that there really is no substitute for a friendly media voice-over when you’re filming banter-less politicians.