Evaluating the framework and conditions of free reporting in
Europe
Currently, major changes are underway in the media and the
public sphere in Europe and in the world. There are chances as well as
challenges with regard to diversity, freedom, independence and
participation. All of the EU-member states have implemented guarantees
of press freedom in their judicial systems. However, other factors such
as economic influences, historic, cultural and social conditions also
have a substantial impact on media independence and on the media's
ability to fulfil their societal functions. Media systems in Europe
vary widely with regard to such factors. Political and economic
decisions
however are increasingly made internationally or on a European level.
Important questions can only be answered with an international
comparative study: What is the quality and degree of press freedom and
pluralism in different European countries? Which system leads to a
better performance with regard to press freedom, pluralism and
participation? Are there opportunities for change, for the development
of new systems, action plans for politics and business, on an EU- as
well as on a national level? Which new models can be developed to
support participation and pluralism in the media?
The consortium of researchers from 12 countries in the fields of
communications,
journalism, political science, history, law and sociology will address
these questions. The project will for the first time carry out an
international comparative media analysis emphasizing press freedom,
plurality and participation, combined with surveys and policy analyses.
The
project will then
develop new models which could support pluralism in the media, enhance
participation, but at the
same time safeguard
independence. Furthermore, the project
will initiate a network of Civil Society Organisations for citizens’
and media associations on a European level. A Scientific Advisory Board
of renowned scholars from the U.S.,
South Africa and India will provide a comparative perspective from
outside Europe.
Outline
Press Freedom and Pluralism in Europe: Potential for Participation
(PLUS)
The problem
In democratic societies, mass media disseminate information to and
between citizens and reflect a diversity of voices and views. In a
changing media world, the dissemination of independent, well researched
information, diversity of media content and a broad public
participation have to be safeguarded. This is not only a national
concern but needs to be evaluated and discussed on a European level
because of the growing impact of European
legislation, European integration and interrelations, merging
international media markets and a growing European public sphere.
Empirical data is needed to develop models that have a potential to be
successful in achieving the objectives of supporting and enhancing
independent, diverse and participatory media in Europe.
The approach
The PLUS project will use a multi-methodological research design to
evaluate in twelve European countries:
• the structural conditions and policies influencing media freedom,
pluralism and participation on a macro, meso and micro level;
• the diversity, independence and broad representation
reflected in
news media content;
• the potential for citizen participation in media and public
discourse.
The project will apply a refined Index of Press Freedom and
Pluralism to twelve countries, evaluating the status quo and
development of press freedom. The data will be generated with three
main methods:
• Policy Analysis: Analysis of policies and structural conditions
• Thematic content analysis: scope of topics, variation of viewpoints,
diversity of sources in European media
• Survey, interviews and focus group discussions with media managers
(especially of SMEs), policy makers, civil society group
representatives, journalists about conditions and strategies.
The results from the twelve countries will be analysed
comparatively and correlated with the structural conditions and
policies, thus yielding an instrument to measure the performance of
different media systems with regard to media freedom, pluralism and
participation. A consortium of experienced and excellent researchers
from 12 European countries has been established already two years ago
to work on this topic together.
A Scientific Advisory Board with four very distinguished
experts based
in the U.S., Australia, India and South Africa will provide a
comparative perspective from outside Europe.
A civil society organisation network will be established and
actively
involved in the research and dissemination process ensuring the
participation of relevant CSOs and associations of small
and medium
media enterprises.
The results Models for independent, diverse and participatory media in Europe
Considering the different economic, political, legal, historic, social
and cultural conditions, diverse and flexible models will be developed
which propose strategies, measures and policies that in certain
combinations and under certain conditions can improve press freedom,
pluralism and participation in European media systems. Because not only
the structural conditions, but also the performance and news media
output will be measured, it will be possible to predict which models
may have which effect in which setting, for example on content
diversity, participation opportunities and editorial
independence.
Mapping media in Europe: Map of media ownership and
concentration
in Europe
The results of the analysis of the economic structures will be
visualised by a map illustrating media concentration in Europe. The
maps will be published and can be used as a tool by policy makers,
media managers and civil society groups to devise strategies.
The impact
The project results can be used to apply strategies economically and
politically to enhance pluralism, press freedom and participation. Main
target groups are policy makers on national and EU level, media
managers i.e. of small and medium size media enterprises, journalists,
CSOs and scholars. The dissemination efforts include:
• the PLUS forum: an interactive Internet platform for
citizens,
researchers and media which will disseminate project results but also
serve as a platform for enhancing international exchange and networking
for media related CSOs, SMEs, scholars and citizens.
• an innovative educational concept with e-learning course materials
for implementation by CSOs and training institutions in order to
enhance media competence and journalistic quality and independence;
• working papers and readers for a broader public (e.g. CSOs,
SMEs,
citizens);
• public conferences and workshops with CSOs and SMEs;
• panels and presentations at international conferences; book
publication.
