Avalik-õigusliku ringhäälingu legitimatsioon: Eesti kogemus rahvusvahelises kontekstis
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Description
The purpose of this theoretical research "Legitimation of public-service
broadcasting - Estonian experience in international context" is to analyse the
legitimation of the Estonian public service broadcasting and the factors that affected the
process. For a broader background basis, the development of international media
politics and, in more detail, European Union media politics are observed. On the basis
of this analysis possible solutions for a stronger legitimation of PsB in the Republic of
Estonia is offered.
Defining and implementation of sufficient and stabile PsB (including a
financial scheme for funding) has been problematic during the full re-independence
period of the Republic of Estonia. Until now a working complex solution has not been
implemented. In this paper it is assumed that the obstacle for finding positive solutions
for PsB in Estonian media politics is the lack of consensus about PsB in the society.
To get a better grounds for understanding PsB legitimation process in Estonia,
this paper observes the general historic development of the PsB in 20th
Century, the
creation of European Union (media) legislation, and the change of the public service
media regulation acts in correlation to the development of society. In addition, the paper
gives an overview of the current EU media policy's crises, and methods for solving
these crisis which have been adapted by the EU. In addition to theoretical sources, the
paper is also based on the European practice and the results of the work of Estonian
workgroups that have been dealing with the subject of broadcasting (primarily PsB).
This paper analyses the main issues and the paper itself is part of an attempt to
strengthen the PsB legitimation in the Estonian media landscape. In detail local
processes of political and economical legitimation are observed. Main focus is on
development, adoption in Parliament and practical failure of the Development Plan for
Estonian Radio and Television for 2003-2005.
The theoretical resource for the work is Jürgen Habermas' communication
theory and concept of public sphere, which has been also the starting point for work of
Croteau and Hoynes also used. These researches can be summarized as follows:
a) the existence of a developed public sphere is important for developing civi
society and democracy;
b) media has an important role in the development of the public sphere;
c) the development of the public sphere is the public interest;
d) the basis for the existence of private media is primarily a profit oriented activity;
e) the purpose of the public service media (primarily broadcast) is to serve public
interest;
f) the political-administrative system sees economy (incl. mediaeconomy
foremost as liberal and needing as little regulation as possible; at the same time
regulation is necessary to guarantee the public sector media (broadcast)
activities;
g) the basis of this conflict is the scarce legitimacy of the PsB in the political-
administrative system.
Considering that
a) the general EU (economic) policy is oriented towards the enlargment of genera
libelarisation and free competition;
b) EU mediapolitics is subordinate to economic politics;
c) the defining of PsB purposes and tasks has been given to the sole competency of
nation-states; meaning that EU will not draw any guidance that would specify
the support towards PsB (services) or that would be compulsory for the nation-
state legislation;
d) the history and position in the society of the PsB is different in the old and new
(transition countries) EU member states;
e) the economic size and capacity of the nation-states` market is different
the development of the PsB in Estonia is problematic because of the small size of the
market and the lack of PsB tradition. To overcome this problem stronger legitimation of
the PsB should be considered. For that it is necessary to enforce the communication
between all parties to find a consensus.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General), magistritööd, avalik-õiguslik ringhääling, finantseerimine, eurointegratsioon, meediapoliitika, kriisid, üleminekuühiskond, Eesti, legitiimsus, majanduslikud aspektid, poliitilised aspektid, avalik valik, vabaturumajandus, kodanikuühiskond