"This book explores the transformation of Indian media in the context of two major developments: globalization, which has introduced what are termed as ‘foreign’ elements to Indian culture, and the opening of the floodgates for foreign media to enter the country. It discusses both theoretical co
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nsiderations and empirical studies related to the role of Indian media. Indian Media in a Globalised World adopts a multi-disciplinary approach and looks at the role of media in purveying political, economic, and cultural identities. It brings to light the current definitions of ‘we’ and ‘they’, the ‘other’, and how the ‘other’ is sought to be perceived in contemporary India. The discussions cover all forms of media, that is, newspaper, films, radio, television and online media, along with media policy and the challenges facing the media." (Publisher description)
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"Using historical data from Freedom House's Freedom of the Press index this report assesses regional trends regarding differing levels of print and broadcast media freedom. While an initial set of data covering 1980-88 shows a clear pattern of print media ranked as freer than broadcast media in ever
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y country studied, a later data set covering 1994-2001 shows that while print media outlets faced fewer direct government controls, they were targeted more often by governments in terms of legal harassment and physical attacks on journalists and their facilities [...] While the openings in the broadcast sector present new opportunities, several factors should be kept in mind in order to use these opportunities wisely and to their full potential. As seen in the historical data concerning print media, the existence and growth of private outlets in a media environment that is still circumscribed by government or political restrictions can lead to legal or extra-legal crackdowns against independent media and journalists. Therefore, the promotion of a more open and diverse broadcast sector through the reform of licensing and regulatory frameworks needs to be accompanied by broader legal reforms. Self-regulatory mechanisms and targeted training to improve professionalism in this sector also need to be promoted." (Summary, pages 4-5)
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"Les Rwandais et les Burundais ont une culture cinématographique et audiovisuelle captivante et centenaire. Elle a été introduite pendant l’époque coloniale allemande et est ensuite tombée dans les mains des Belges qui l’ont développée après. Au Rwanda/Burundi, ils produisaient des films
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marqués par le discours colonial. Au même moment, l’imaginaire des autochtones était imprégné par le cinéma du monde (la France, l’Italie, les Etats-unis, l’Inde, le Pakistan, l’Egypte…) qui n’était guère contrôlé. Cette liberté culturelle a perduré après l’indépendance. Ainsi, la population a été confrontée au cinéma comme une expression artistique mais aussi comme un instrument de propagande. Au début, la production de cinéma et de télévision servait aux différents régimes et présidents. Après le tournant du siècle et sous l’influence du processus de Paix, les médias se sont libéralisés, favorisant ainsi, avec la révolution numérique, la production audiovisuelle. Au Rwanda, le génocide a eu une influence particulière dans le foisonnement d’initiatives privées de productions audiovisuelles et cinématographiques. Dans ce livre, Guido Convents nous invite à découvrir différents aspects de la culture audiovisuelle burundaise et rwandaise: des réalisateurs, des distributeurs, des exploitants, des comédiens, mais aussi des spectateurs, le pouvoir politique, la société civile, et tant d’autres pions. Il jette un regard, non seulement sur les images produites par les Rwandais et les Burundais mais surtout sur le rôle qu’ils attribuent au cinéma et à l’audiovisuel en général, et en particulier dans le domaine de la Paix." (Description de la maison d'édition)
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"Discussions on how to support sustainability of independent media generally focus on the political conditions, the legal framework and – especially in German development cooperation – on the quality of journalistic coverage. Nevertheless, economic factors are of equal importance, not only for p
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ure survival but also with respect to editorial independence and the resources available to enhance or guarantee the quality of media outlets. The German Forum Medien und Entwicklung (Media and Development) highlighted in its annual international Symposium, “Money Matters – How independent media manage to survive”, two dimensions marking economic sustainability: factors constituting a restricting or enabling media environment; factors supporting the business management of media in their endeavour to become self-sustainable." (Executive summary, page 5)
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"On its path towards media freedom, Mongolia has seen some inspiring developments but has also faced major setbacks. Following the political transition in 1990 print media sprang up extensively, and since the late 1990’s a host of electronic media has been launched. The actual media output in the
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capital as well as the countryside is impressive both in numbers and variety. There were 340 media outlets in 2005 serving a population of 2.5 million people. However, the sector faces many challenges. Despite the many media and communication initiatives that exist in the country and are supported by various donor organisations, the Mongolian government does not have a comprehensive media and communication policy that deals in a systematic way with the huge challenges facing the industry, including the lack of infrastructure and the creation of a viable market for media and communication products in rural areas. For these reasons it is extremely important to increase support for free and independent media and progressive civil society groups in a sustainable fashion; but within the specific context in which Mongolian media professionals operate. The issues faced by media on a national level (Ulaanbaatar) and in the countryside are diverse but equally problematic, and a different approach is necessary to support their development." (UNESCO website, 16.11.2007)
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"By examining recent developments in the world system of television as well as several theories of culture, industry, genre, and audience, author Joseph D. Straubhaar offers new insights into the topic. He argues that television is being simultaneously globalized, regionalized, nationalized, and eve
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n localized, with audiences engaging it at multiple levels of identity and interest; therefore the book looks at all these levels of operation." (Publisher description)
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"This book analyzes the different ways in which media are being used for community building and it also critically interrogates the concept of community itself. The authors do that from a variety of different perspectives, ranging from fundamental philosophical questions regarding community, to the
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role of journalism, the possibilities of community building on a local, national and global level, online media communities as means of empowerment for marginalized groups, the representation of communities in the media, and the formation of learning communities. Although there is a clear dominance in focusing on the chances and possibilities opened up by the Internet, the role of more traditional media like magazines, radio and television is being examined as well. Both sides, the media representations with the identity positions they offer as well as the interpretations and meaning productions that take place by the users of the media, are taken into account to cover the full range of media as cultural tools of connectivity." (Publisher description)
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"The author describes how the function of Lithuanian media has changed in different historical phases - due to changing political, economic and cultural conditions. The aim is to show how innovations, e.g. technological innovations, new media structures or cultural patterns, entered Lithuanian media
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and at the same time linked them to the changes that took place on the international level. It will be shown how Lithuanian journalism has formed its specifics to meet numerous changes in the national environment. The contemporary Lithuanian media situation is measured against the normative ideal of democratization and a journalistic culture is described that has survived in the historical development of media as institutions within specific social millieus. The overview follows a comparative approach based on the idea that a national perspective is too narrow. Therefore, the development of Lithuanian media is partly compared, partly contrasted with the changes that have occurred in relations with neighboring countries, especially Latvia and Estonia. The main task is to describe the peculiarities - with the aim not to comment on them, but to understand them." (Publisher description)
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