Media Freedom and Pluralism: Media Policy Challenges in the Enlarged Europe

Chapter 14: Developing the “Third Sector”: Community Media Policies in Europe

CHaPTer 14 developing the “Third sector”: Community Media Policies in Europe Kate coyer and arne Hintz 14.1. introduction The phenomenon of community media is not new to europe. But recognition of community media as a formal “third sector” of broadcasting is emerging on the policy radar, as pressure for states and international bodies to expand, support, and develop sectors for “citizen” access to broadcasting continues to grow. Though specific definitions of community media vary, the concept generally refers to self-organized, participatory, not-for-profit media that address local geographic communities and/or communities of interest. Community media challenge traditional conceptions of a dual media system, suggesting instead a three-tier media landscape that includes public service, commercial, and community media. Communicative rights, including access to information and freedom of expression, are at the heart of democratic societies. an essential component of these rights is the ability to create one’s own media independent of government or commercial pressures. alternative forms of media, whether political or culturally radical, or modes of contesting dominant media paradigms and ownership structures, are necessary ingredients for media democracy (Coyer, dowmunt, and Fountain 2007). Community media are one such alternative mode of communication , whose mission lies in its independent and participatory nature. Community media are responding to several media-related as well as political challenges: 1) Media pluralism. Community media are one of many responses to concerns over increasing concentration of media ownership , economic and political control over vital communication i4 Beata book.indb 275 2010.05.09. 10:22 276 Media Freedom and Pluralism resources and infrastructures, and the need for diversity of content and opinions in the media. Commercialization and lingering state influence and control have also placed pressures on public service broadcasting. Complementing public and commercial media systems, community media have sought to create spaces to broaden public debate, inject a local and neighborhood voice that is often neglected in an increasingly nationalized and globalized media landscape, and offer an alternative to what is often criticized as homogenized, commercial culture. By ensuring that media production does not remain solely in the hands of largescale institutions, community media remind us that media pluralism is not just about plurality of content but plurality of content producers and of owners. 2) active citizenship. a decline in trust, confidence, and participation in the political system has led to concerns over the necessary renewal of democracy and citizenship. Community media have a long history of activating citizens and facilitating participation. The founding principles of these projects are typically based on openness and participation, as well as the direct involvement of local communities and marginalized groups such as migrants and young people. Community media organizations are thus spaces where the very issues and principles that compose a democratic society are being played out, explored, and experienced. 3) Media policy advocacy. Community media advocates are emerging as significant actors in media reform movements and efforts to orient policy environments towards more democratic normative and legal frameworks. networks of cooperation are increasing , designed to facilitate cross-border linkages between community media projects. activists and civil-society organizers are partnering with academics and sympathetic policymakers with the aim of intervening in policy processes. The european policy agenda increasingly recognizes the role of these media, and debates have begun within the Council of europe and the european Parliament on how to develop enabling regulatory frameworks . However, the policy environment for community media in europe remains sketchy and inconsistent. While some countries have developed promising regulations as well as a sophisticated understanding i4 Beata book.indb 276 2010.05.09. 10:22 Developing the “Third Sector” 277 of the policy needs for sustainable community media, others continue to disregard their very existence. according to aMarC, the World association of Community Broadcasters, “the lack of proper enabling legislation is the single principal barrier to [community media’s] social impact” (aMarC, 2007, p. 5).1 in this chapter we wish to outline the european regulatory context as it concerns community media, and specifically community broadcasting. We will analyze the further trajectory of the developing policy environment in europe. First we will seek to define community media and explain their role in the media system, then we will look at policy processes on the eu level, and finally we will point to several different national regulations. 14.2. defining community media a recent study commissioned by the european Parliament defines community media as...