Introduction

Abstract

AbstractThe media in Europe have radically changed since 1990. But even within Europe, the processes or mechanisms of “oversight” varied according to individual political and cultural traditions. In effect a major element of the European media has been that they have been characterized by great diversity. The media in Europe are not only different media systems between the West and the East but also among the southern, central and the northern European countries. Hallin and Mancini, in their seminal work Comparing Media Systems, have suggested three models which describe the media systems in mainly “old” Western Europe. At the same time, their model has served as a theoretical landmark for most of comparative media systems studies and can still provide a useful framework for current comparative research on the media field. In effect, we consider that theoretical approach envisioned by Hallin and Mancini might still be a place for the concept of media systems among comparative studies in the digital era considering the new developments in the media systems. The latter are not simply a consequence of processes of globalization but also outcomes of technological change, policy making and economics and the Europeanization process which help give shape to the new world and to the media order. This book is based on some of the historical findings of a larger project entitled “European Media Platforms: Assessing Positive and Negative Externalities for European Culture” funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101004488. It aims to present an account of the contemporary media field focusing on the trends as well as on the problems the national media systems within the European Union face.