(24 Sep 08) Peter Lewis’ study on social cohesion and community media for the Council of Europe has been published on the Council of Europe’s website [download].
The brief
This report was prepared following guidelines provided by the Group of Specialists on Media Diversity (MC-S-MD) which are as follows:
- Identify the most important issues concerning the relationship between media and social cohesion.
- Summarise existing definitions (including legal ones) of “third sector media”, eundrstood as media which are neither public nor commercial, and taking into account that “third sector media” are also loosely referred to as community, local, minority, non-profit and social media. The classification of “third sector media” should include, among others, the following aspects: ownership, structure, funding, content/programming, audience involvement and different platforms, including new media.
- Provide an outline of the discussion on the positive and negative aspects of the role of “third sector media” in society. Efforts should be aimed at summing up the controversies raised by “third sector media”, especially debates as to whether “third sector media” contribute to social cohesion and integration or threaten it. The summary should be illustrated with a number of case studies focused on different countries. (N.B. These could include non-member states such as USA and Canada)
- Describe existing measures to support third sector media (including financial and technical measures) either by governmental or non-governmental bodies/organisations. An outline for the report was provided by the consultant (31 August 2007) for circulation to the group of specialists and consideration at the group’s meeting on 10 September 2007 in Strasbourg. The consultant’s presentation was followed by a discussion that identified a number of additional points for inclusion in the report, for further research, or where additional sources could be investigated.
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