"In 2014, competition in the Afghan media sector has increased in order to attract diminishing advertising revenue. This has led to increased professionalization and a certain degree of segmentation with the introduction of specialist, niche channels. The pace of development of new outlets has slowe
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d, reflecting the challenging environment, and increasing competition: There is now an average of three TV channels created each year as opposed to the average of nine in 2010. The programming scene looks much like that of 2010, filled with news programming, drama series, entertainment programs and political debate, with the exception of the introduction of a significant level of sports programming. Production remains split between national production of a number of key genres, with a high level of internationally procured series, and movies, done so by a variety of means, largely illegal. Whilst there is an increasing desire for internal production, financial, social and political constraints continue to make this difficult. Among media users in the sample, 62% turn their TV on, and 32% turn their radio on at some point during the day, compared to 63% and 39% respectively last year." (Executive summary)
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"59 percent of the population of Bulgaria do not consider the media to be independent. Many are undecided and only 17 percent believe reporting is free. The crisis of confidence in the media is continuing, according to a study on behalf of the KAS Media Program South East Europe. Citizens also feel
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they are inadequately informed by the politicians. 63 percent take a negative view of politicians’ public relations. A representative sample of 1,100 residents aged 18 and over was interviewed." (Page 1)
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"As information among internally displaced people (IDPs) spreads mostly through word-of-mouth and social media, rumors and misinformation are rife. Citizens in eastern Ukraine have low trust in traditional media, and Ukrainian TV is largely not perceived as a credible source of information. IDPs do
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not seem to be fully aware of eligibility criteria and/or what aid they are able to access if eligible to do so. This increases expectations of displaced communities and feeds further frustration. The situation directly affects the capacity of local and international relief groups to effectively plan and deliver aid. Timely, accurate and neutral information about entitlements, rights, legal assistance, eligibility criteria and available aid are vital in enabling affected populations to make informed decisions and regain a degree of self-agency. As the conflict escalates and the economy worsens, host communities that have shown unprecedented solidarity and generosity are beginning to feel the pressure in their own communities. This is creating social tensions, stigmatization and discrimination against IDPs, who are struggling to integrate." (Page 6)
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"Tanzanians express near-unanimous satisfaction with the degree of freedom of expression in the country: 96% of respondents in 2014 say they feel somewhat or completely free to say what they think. Two-thirds (65%) say the media should scrutinize the government and report on corruption and mistakes.
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This is 15 percentage points lower than in 2012. Slightly more than half (53%) of respondents say the media should have the right to publish any views and ideas without government control, a decrease of 20 percentage points since 2012. During the same period, the proportion favouring government control rose from 26% to 44%. A stable majority (65% in 2014, 67% in 2012) trust in the reliability of the news media’s reports. Three-fourths (76%) of Tanzanians laud the news media’s effectiveness in exposing corruption in the government. This is 8 percentage points lower than in 2012. The more frequently a person is exposed to news and the higher his/her level of education, the more likely s/he is to support investigative and independent media reporting, to believe in the reliability of news, and to laud the effectiveness of the news media in its watchdog role." (Key findings, page 2)
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"This article examines the Palestinians perceptions towards the role of Palestine TV and Al-Aqsa TV in providing a platform for open discussion and create an arena for different groups to communicate freely with each other. Focus groups with a range of participants, from university students and huma
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n rights activists, to journalists and non-governmental organization employees were deployed. The article argues that the two political factions are trying to manipulate the public and conceal information that affects their power. It provides an overview of comments, and views expressed by the participants during the focus group sessions in response to a set of questions. The key findings of the study were, in the view of many respondents, that the two television channels, Palestine TV and Al-Aqsa TV, were controlled by the two political parties – Fatah and Hamas, respectively and that this has compromised the media’s function to public participation." (Abstract)
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"Argues that renewed energy and resources should be invested in strategies that support media systems rooted in public service values of trust, independence, universality and putting the public interest before all others. Despite formidable challenges, support strategies should include a revitalised
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and more imaginative focus on supporting the reform of state broadcasters to help them become editorially and financially independent public service broadcasters." (Executive summary)
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"En février et en mars 2015 Media in Transition and Cooperation (MiCT) et la Fondation Friedrich Ebert à Bamako (FES) en coopération avec l’Institut d’Economie rurale malien ont procédé à une analyse de l’usage des médias à Bamako et dans sept chefs-lieux régionaux ainsi que dans troi
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s agglomérations rurales au Mali. 1.800 personnes ont eu l’occassion de s’exprimer sur leur propre écoute des médias et de donner leur opinion. Les résultats présentés dans ce rapport démontrent que la radio demeure le média le plus populaire et que presque tout le monde y a accès mais que la télévision progresse et qu’en particulier dans les zones urbaines de plus en plus de gens ont accès à un téléviseur. La distribution de la presse et l’extension du réseau Internet restent limités mais l’usage d’Internet et des réseaux sociaux se développe en particulier dans les classes de la population plus jeune et jouissant d’un niveau d’éducation plus élevé. La téléphonie mobile gagne en ampleur mais la plupart des personnes interrogées utilisent des modèles de téléphones portables simples parce que l’usage de Smartphones et de Tablets présuppose la capacité de lire et d’écrire. L’éducation reste la clé qui amène à l’usage des nouveaux médias : l’étude démontre de prime abord que ce sont les personnes ayant achevé leur cycle scolaire qui se servent de toute la panoplie des médias, de la radio à la téléphonie portable et que ce sont eux aussi qui se montrent les plus critiques par rapport à l’offre médiatique (y compris des programmes francophones tels que TV5 Monde, RFI ou France 24). L’émetteur public ORTM domine le marché grâce à l’extension de son réseau et de sa position de monopole en tant que télévision." (Résumé)
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"A primeira edição da “Pesquisa Brasileira de Mídia” traz um retrato representativo e preciso sobre o uso que os brasileiros declaram fazer, atualmente, dos meios de comunicação social. Continua sendo predominante a presença da TV nos lares do País, apesar do rápido crescimento da intern
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et. Nada menos que 97% dos entrevistados afirmaram ver TV, um hábito que une praticamente todos os brasileiros, com independência de gênero, idade, renda, nível educacional ou localização geográfica. A internet e o rádio são meios de comunicação também muito presentes na vida das pessoas, ainda que em menor grau: 61% têm o costume de ouvir rádio e 47% têm o hábito de acessar a internet. Já a leitura de jornais e revistas impressos é menos frequente e alcança, respectivamente, 25% e 15% dos entrevistados." (Pág. 7)
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"A new news disseminator has emerged to revitalize the profession of information gathering – the non-profit news organization. Adopting a framework of community trust, this article begins a scholarly response to the questions: Who are these non-profit journalists and what do they aim to accomplish
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? A rhetorical analysis of nearly 50 mission statements and ethnographic work on two case studies revealed a commitment to rebuilding public trust, to reclaiming community journalism, to re-emphasizing the “ordinary” citizen, and to pioneering collaborative news work by means of digital technologies. Our analysis demonstrated that many of these organizations, in considering news as a public good, work to re-conceptualize the industry for citizens, but depend upon a level of funding that might not be viable in the long term. However, this research posits that little in the way of true community trust can be achieved until these organizations discover a sustainable business model." (Abstract)
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"The research focuses on three themes. Firstly, it identifies and maps the information environment in Mon State in terms of technology and media use across urban, rural, non-conflict, and former conflict geographic areas. Secondly, the flow of news and information is examined to see how individuals
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receive information and then make decisions about sharing it with others. Thirdly, the report examines the dynamics underlying the trust and influence of news and information among individuals in Mon State." (Summary)
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"The current investigation utilizes data from 44 diverse countries (n = 57,847), collected as part of the World Values Survey, to broaden our understanding of trust in media. The aim is two-fold-to learn about individual-level correlates across contexts and to demonstrate that macro-level factors pl
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ay a part in shaping such trust. Our findings indicate that levels of political interest, interpersonal trust, and exposure to television news and newspapers are positively correlated with trust in media, while education and exposure to news on the Internet are negatively associated. On the macro level, postmaterialism emerged as a consistent predictor of trust in media. State ownership of the media industry did not have a main effect on trust in media after controlling for other factors. However, an interaction was found between state ownership and level of democracy: state ownership of television is positively associated with media trust in democratic societies and negatively associated with trust in media in nondemocratic societies." (Abstract)
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"Libyans and Tunisians have grown weary of coverage that represents the interests of those who run or fund the channels and consequently place little trust in the media. Perhaps as a result of these limitations, the audiences are savvy and discerning consumers who “shop around” to access informa
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tion and verify what they have found. People desire the media to do more than highlight problems. They want it to discuss solutions and act as a force for good rather than foster division. The degree to which this is possible varies by state." (Executive summary)
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"This report offers a fresh perspective on the information and media landscape in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It presents insights into the human impacts of information challenges and articulates opportunities to design development programming. By bringing a ground-level
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, human understanding to the complex dynamics of conflict in the region, this report seeks to supplement other analyses conducted through geopolitical, historical, or security lenses." (Introduction, page 4)
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"In assessing attitudes toward the media, one notable finding was a vote of confidence for improved quality of news media reporting between 2011 and 2013 with a majority of adults agreeing that it has improved in six of the eight countries surveyed. This optimism is also reflected in overall percept
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ions of media credibility in such countries as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE, while less so in more volatile states including Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia. Internet use is strongest in the Gulf countries—UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and lowest in the most populous Arab country, Egypt, which appears in question after question to be a media-poor country in spite of its large population. Only in Qatar is the internet regarded as a more important source of news than is television. In all countries respondents are multi-media users, of course. In the midst of great enthusiasm for the internet, the importance of satellite television, notably Al Jazeera, is the most popular source for news and public affairs across the region. While its popularity varies by country depending on local sources of news and other factors, Al Jazeera was mentioned by respondents in every country surveyed as a top source of news. At the same time, social networking is nearly universal among those online and no other social media site comes close to Facebook in popularity. Twitter and Google+ also get high marks in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Although critics once complained “that the internet only speaks English,” Arabic language use exceeded that of English across the region on most media platforms." (Introduction, page 8)
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"Esta investigación, en líneas generales, ha permitido establecer que la televisión es el medio preferido para informarse y está situada en los extremos de la credibilidad: se le cree o no se le cree. La población se informa principalmente para 'estar al tanto' e interrelacionarse y de manera s
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ecundaria para ejercer sus derechos ciudadanos. El trabajo de los periodistas es mejor valorado que la calidad de las noticias. Los periodistas de los medios nacionales son mejor valorados que los que trabajan en los medios locales. El Derecho a la Información y la Comunicación aún no está suficientemente posicionado y sólo es conocido de forma parcial." La consulta ciudadana se llevó a cabo en todas las capitales departamentales del país y la ciudad de El Alto, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario a las personas mayores de 18 años que acudieron voluntariamente a responderlo (3.150 personas). "Dado que la consulta no fue aplicada según muestreo probabilístico, sus resultados no son estadísticamente representativos; sin embargo, sí son válidos como expresión de las percepciones de sectores de la población urbana del país interesados en la situación actual de la información y la comunicación." (Conclusiones, página 34)
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"Tendo por objetivo principal investigar as percepções da população brasileira sobre os meios de comunicação, abordou temas como o conhecimento sobre o grau de concentração da mídia e sobre o regime de concessões das TVs e rádios, a penetração da internet, a percepção sobre a neutrali
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dade dos meios e opiniões sobre sua regulamentação, com destaque para como diferentes setores sociais se vêem representados, em interesses e imagens, pelos meios que consomem." (Nota metodológica)
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"This study has looked at the opinions of ordinary citizens (n=2000) as well as a small sample of decision makers at community level (n=200). Chapters 1 and 2 provide a background sketch and methodology for the survey, followed by a detailed overview of the findings for the general public and decisi
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on makers in Chapters 3 and 4. Overall, ordinary citizens and decision makers alike feel the Tanzania's media sector is growing and improving over time, and the sector is serving a news-hungry public that wants the media to keep those in positions of power accountable. However, this study also points to perceptions of shortcomings in the media, both in terms of the content it provides to the public and the quality of the services it provides." (Executive summary)
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"The overall objective of the research is to provide the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and its Libyan Government counterparts with an updated assessment of the Libyan media landscape that measures consumption habits, perceptions of trust towards certain outlets, and attitudes towards government invo
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lvement in Libyan media, leading to recommendations for improving communication between the Libyan Government and the Libyan people. This report is a collection of the most informative results from this research, which was conducted across Libya’s 22 districts between February and April 2013. Overall, the project involved interviewing 3,196 randomly-selected Libyans with a 65-question questionnaire, together with 26 Paired Interviews and 40 Key Informant Interviews covering most of the influential television, radio and publications outlets." (Executive summary)
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