Eric Karstens

A critical mass for Public Service Media freedom in South East Europe

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:53:53 +0000

Conventional wisdom has it that Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) can hardly be more forward than the society it serves, which spells problems for PSB in many Western Balkans countries. But in actual fact in can be at least slightly ahead – provided that it has the international and multi-lateral backing necessary to rise above everyday obstructions. Related posts:

The EU, its neighbours, and journalism revolution

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:14:18 +0000

The transition to a free and democratic media system in formerly authoritarian countries may be almost as difficult for the revolutionaries themselves as it typically is for the former mouthpieces of defunct regimes. Can the European Union help? Related posts:

Vordenkerrolle: Zum Innovationsbedarf der Medienanstalten

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:58:48 +0000

Die Landesmedienanstalten beharren auf liebgewonnenen Denkfiguren und rufen nach strengeren Vorschriften, wenn die Welt sich ändert. Doch ihrer Sinn- und Identitätskrise könnten sie mit dem begegnen, was Odo Marquardt einst "Inkompetenzkompensations-kompetenz" nannte. Artikel aus epd Medien, Heft 69/2010. Related posts:

Eine kurze Geschichte des Privatfernsehens in Deutschland

The art of EU procurement

admin — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:43:27 +0000

The EU has masterminded the very rules of public procurement, but it is also one of the largest tendering authorities itself. The scope of design of tenders is such that it may make or break entire companies and organisations, and affect the implementation of public policy beyond the specific objectives of any individual tender. Related posts:

Is blogging coming of age?

admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:39:14 +0000

Like so many things in our current media environment, accrediting bloggers alongside with journalists is more difficult, requires more effort, and entails more risks than sticking to the old ways. It is worth the while, though, seeing that blogging seems to be coming of age. Related posts:

Why I want my newspaper to go out of business

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:06:28 +0000

The notion of intellectual property resonates with the idea that the original authors – journalists, writers, translators, photographers – deserve protection. However in fact, a substantial part of the copyright regime is in place to protect an intermediate industry that feeds off the creativity of the original authors. Related posts:

Globalised business and the limits of media regulation

WikiLeaks, the Cloud, and Internet pluralism: A roundup of emerging lessons learned

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:46:41 +0000

There is an oligopolistic infrastructure emerging on the Web that facilitates the manipulation and exploitation of the public as well as censorship and obstruction of inconvenient content at a mere whim of a handful of private companies, or by - more or less stealthy - government influence. Related posts:

The EU’s Digital Agenda (part III): Stakeholders Day

admin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:00:23 +0000

Perhaps there just are no stakeholders of the Digital Agenda as a whole, only stakeholders of a number of particular Digital Agenda subsections. Is the Agenda therefore too encompassing a policy after all? Related posts:

The EU’s Digital Agenda (part II): Megalomania or Jack of all Trades?

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:51:37 +0000

What Europe is still missing is a substantial intellectual debate about the Digital Agenda and its implications for civil society and politics. Europe dearly needs innovative and groundbreaking outside-the-box-yet-pragmatic thinking at the interface between technology and the public sphere. Related posts:

The EU’s Digital Agenda (part I): What is at stake?

admin — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:10:47 +0000

Across all the application areas of the EU's Digital Agenda policy there are several common and mutually interdependent issues which need to be tackled irrespective of the specific purpose of a technological solution. This is why I first take a look at some of the most important overarching issues at stake. Political analysis will follow in part II. Related posts: