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4.. Council of Europe Report on
Transnational Media
> Eva Majuntke > > European Affairs Officer > > ARD - Brussels > > > > A report from the Advisory Panel on Media Diversity - a Council of Europe working group - observes there has been a significant increase in transnational media concentration throughout Europe. Since this trend is likely to bring serious risks for cultural diversity and democracy, the report suggests a number of actions to protect pluralism and promote Europe's cultural and linguistic diversity. > > > > In its research, the working group found that the phenomenon of transnational media concentration has intensified in recent years. The trend is fueled by a number of factors, such as: > > a.. the over saturation and concentration of national media markets, which provides an incentive to companies to expand beyond their original territory; > b.. the liberalization of broadcasting markets in Western Europe and the collapse of the state controlled economy in the East; > c.. the increasing acceptance of generic formats such as "reality TV" programs; and > d.. the trend to plan a number of advertising campaigns on a transnational level. > Media concentration has taken place in three distinct patterns: > > a.. Media companies expanding by operating directly or through subsidiaries, joint ventures or shareholdings in other companies on the media market of more than one country. > b.. Companies or individuals owning media companies in several countries. > c.. Media companies distributing their products in many countries, including broadcasts targeted specifically at countries other than the country of their residence. > > > According to the Council of Europe report, the two main concerns raised by the development are the possible impact on democracy and the diminishing diversity of content production. While the new media environment has given viewers, listeners and readers a wider choice of media products and channels, this has not led to a wider diversity of opinion and content, as cheap programmes and formulaic series are offered throughout the channels in many countries, while high quality local content struggles to compete. The role of the media as a public watchdog tends to be compromised by less and less investigative and informative journalism, and the interference of media owners in the editorial independence of their journalistic staff. > > > > To counter such developments, the report strongly recommends the ongoing monitoring of transnational media concentration, the creation and implementation of an international convention against the negative impacts of transnational media concentration, the strengthening of public service broadcasting, support for community media, the enforcement of a clear separation between political authorities and the media and new national legislation to effectively secure media pluralism. > > > > A copy of the report is available at: http://www.incd.net/docs/transnationalmedia.pdf. INCD members in Europe should communicate with their governments about this issue and continue to encourage policies which will support increased media diversity. > EuroAtlantic Club: http://www.europe.org.ro/euroatlantic_club/ *** Birou de traduceri autorizate. Oana Gheorghiu - tel/fax: 252.8681 / [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links
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