Media Study - Medija centar Beograd

In its Recommendation on media pluralism and diversity of media content (2007), the Committee of
Ministers calls on member states to encourage the development of different types of media, including
community, local, minority or social media, capable of making a contribution to pluralism and
diversity.
In its Declaration on protecting the role of the media in democracy in the context of media
concentration, the Committee of Ministers, stresses that policies designed to encourage the
development of not-for-profit media can be another way to promote a diversity of autonomous
channels for the dissemination of information and expression of opinion, especially for and by social
groups on which mainstream media rarely concentrate
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages underlines the obligation of the parties to
ensure, facilitate or encourage the creation of media outlets in regional or minority languages.
More recently, the Committee of Ministers adopted a Declaration on the role of community media in
promoting social cohesion and intercultural dialogue (February 2009). This document recognizes
community media as a distinct media sector, alongside public service and private commercial media
and addresses related spectrum issues.
In its Recommendation on cable networks and local television stations, the Parliamentary Assembly
notes amongst other issues that the development of cable networks, satellite broadcasts and local
television stations can foster democracy in the countries of central and Eastern Europe. The
Recommendation called on helping the countries of central and eastern Europe to frame their
national legislation on copyright and neighbouring rights, considering that the introduction in each
country of structures for collecting and distributing the royalties accruing from these rights would
boost the creation of national or local productions and develop employment in this sector.
In its Resolution on the situation of local radio in Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly stressed that
local radio is an ideal potential means of fostering freedom of expression and information, the
development of culture, the freedom to form and confront opinions, and active participation in local
life, provided however that there was no disorderly proliferation of local radio stations and that
objectiveness and plurality was ensured. Financing should be diversified.
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