Activity Details (ID# 6168)

Activity Synopsis

The topic of the Conference was “Comparing theory and practice of media law in Central and Eastern Europe: foreign media investments in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe - danger or opportunity for freedom of the press?” The main objective was to exchange information between media owners and media professionals about the consequences of foreign investment in Eastern Europe. More specifically, the Conference was aimed at analysing whether foreign investment in the media was promoting freedom of expression and media pluralism. 

The technical and organisational preparation was excellent. Several key Council of Europe documents were distributed to the participants (Report on media diversity in Europe, relevant Committee of Ministers Recommendations, etc.) The speakers were asked to send in their papers before the conference in order to improve the level of discussion.
Due to the high level of participants and their extremely interesting mixture coming from different fields of activities and countries, the intensity and level of debate was very high. Time for discussions could have been longer in order to provide the participants with more thorough discussion possibility.
The media coverage by the local press was very good. However, Frankfurt/Oder cannot be compared to the capital, Berlin, where it is much easier to attract national newspapers as well. One important reason for organising the conference in Frankfurt/Oder was the existence of the media studies department at the Europa University Viadrina. This existing structure contributed without doubt to the success of the Conference.
From the talks during the conference and the exchanges afterwards, it is possible to assess very positively the outcome of the Conference.
The programme had to be adapted due to a last minute cancellation.
The target group was fully reached and the organisers were pleased to see that this Conference attracted many interested participants

 

The experts contributions received in written form were published in a reader, which will be distributed among the participants and the interested public.
A follow-up activity is planned. The 3rd Media Days in Frankfurt/Oder should take place on 21-22 October 2004. This follow-up event will address the question of the obligation of the State to provide information to media professionals in the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.



 

Journalists, publishers, media-lawyers, representatives of media-companies invested in Eastern and South Eastern Europe, representatives from the OSCE, specialised NGOs, academics and students 

Mario OETHEIMER, Media Division, DG II