Bertelsmann’s Arvato is mentioned in CNET article:
26 May 2019: Politico: How Europe’s biggest media company infiltrated the EU
How Bertelsmann mixes business, philanthropy and Continental politics
by Matthew Karnitschnig
“Together with the European Commission, we’re developing new ways and instruments to reach and engage the public,” Aart Jan de Geus, a former Dutch labor minister and former deputy head of the OECD, told a small group of journalists, explaining that Europe’s media had a crucial role to play in the effort.
By “we,” de Geus meant the organization he has led since 2012, the Bertelsmann Stiftung, a foundation controlled by the wealthy German family behind Bertelsmann SE & Co., the giant media group where Selmayr worked as a Brussels-based lobbyist until 2004...
Message control has been a Bertelsmann specialty for nearly two centuries...
With its far-flung holdings and liberal ideals, Bertelsmann epitomizes the “globalist” values that are fueling populist resentment across the West. The EU’s close association with the group, however well-intentioned, could end up giving Europe’s anti-establishment forces just the kind of ammunition they’re looking for.
Though many Europeans may have never heard of Bertelsmann, it touches almost all of their lives. With operations scattered from Tallinn to Athens, the closely held group is not just a “société européenne” in name. Its stable of properties includes Europe’s biggest commercial broadcaster, RTL, which reaches millions every day over dozens of television and radio stations across the Continent. It also controls Penguin Random House, the world’s largest book publisher, with authors ranging from Michelle Obama to Dan Brown and Jamie Oliver.
The company, which employs more than 100,000 people...
https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-inc-bertelsmann-business-philanthropy-politics/
22 Apr: Locus Mag: Bertelsmann to Become Climate Neutral
Bertelsmann, the parent company of Penguin Random House, has pledged to become climate neutral by 2030. They plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% as compared to 2018, and to pay for offsets for the remainder. The company joins 800 other organizations worldwide as part of the Science Based Target Initiative...
23 Jun: South China Morning Post: European Union leaders urge Xi Jinping to drop Hong Kong national security law, or risk ‘negative consequences’
•‘China risks very negative consequences’ if it imposes national security law, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
•But she sidesteps questions as to the exact measures the EU would take
by Stuart Lau
Xi, on his part, fended off the EU’s categorisation of China as a rival, pledging to work together with the bloc on cooperation and upholding multilateralism...
The EU’s complaints also touched on climate change, despite China’s official stance in support of the Paris Agreement.
“China has repeatedly projected itself a leader in global climate issues, and China is indeed on our side on this. However, being a leader brings responsibility to follow up with actions,” von der Leyen said.
The duo urged China to commit to climate neutrality as soon as possible after 2050, with von der Leyen adding: “We count on China to live up to its commitments under the Paris Agreement and step them up and lead by example.”...
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3090159/european-union-leaders-urge-xi-jinping-reconsider-hong-kong-national
the young, smug “progressives” who do the censoring for Big Tech don’t have a clue who the puppet masters are. same goes for the useful idiots aligning themselves to BLM/Dems.
22 Jun: Council of the European Union: EU-China Summit: Defending EU interests and values in a complex and vital partnership - Press release by President Michel and President von der Leyen
The European Union and China held their 22nd bilateral Summit via videoconference on 22 June 2020. President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by High Representative Josep Borrell, hold the Summit meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang followed by exchanges with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
President Michel said: “EU-China relations have evolved in recent years. Our economic interdependency is high, and we must work together on global challenges like climate action, meeting the SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS or dealing with COVID-19. Engaging and cooperating with China is both an opportunity and necessity...
President von der Leyen said: “The COVID-pandemic and a number of major bilateral and multilateral challenges show clearly the EU - China partnership is crucial, be it in terms of trade, CLIMATE, technology, and the defence of MULTILATERALISM...
***Leaders had a substantive discussion on climate change. China is the EU’s partner under the Paris Agreement, but needs to commit to decisive and ambitious domestic action to reduce emissions in the short term and to set a goal of climate neutrality at the earliest possible date...
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU underlined the shared responsibility to participate in global efforts to stop the spread of the virus, boost research on treatments and vaccines, and support a GREEN and INCLUSIVE global recovery...
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/06/22/eu-china-summit-defending-eu-interests-and-values-in-a-complex-and-vital-partnership/