The current European Commission press room is a far cry from its distant convivial predecessor in the Berlaymont four decades ago. That one contained a small bar at the back of the room with a noisy coffee machine and dispensed soft and alcoholic drinks before, after and frequently during the regular midday briefings. It was possible to smoke and since there were fewer journalists, virtually everyone knew everyone else.
Transparency was an almost unheard of word. All the briefings were…