Contents
Goals
- Assessing the role of media for democracy and the infosphere
- Informing about support measures and needs for media regulation
- Systematic overview over regulatory areas
Steps
Introduction
The leading question of this task is: how can independent, plural, and democracy- and human rights–oriented information be structurally ensured in the digital age?
1. Role of media in a democracy
Collect the tasks and functions media fulfil in a democracy. If necessary, give examples:
Purpose and Functions of Media in democracy
Balance of power
Oversight of those in power and those who are influential. Role as ‘fourth power’ alongside legislature, the executive and the judiciary
Pluralism
Representing different positions and interests in society.
Providing information
On various topics, perspectives, trends, cultures, developments...
Debate
Facilitating discussion. Contributing to fair and civilised debate.
Explanation
Explaining and contextualising information. Provide information on complex sociopolitical issues to help audiences form their own opinions and judgements.
Participation
Media can be a tool for citizen participation and to reach and connect like-minded people from the ground up.
Others
Entertainment, ...
Explain the difference to media in an autocracy or dictatorship.
2.Needs
Consider what media actors need in order to fulfil these tasks. And what they should be obliged to do. Various media players should be taken into account (e.g. in various smaller groups) or a decision should be made as to whom the group would like to focus on for a more in-depth investigation:
Media Actors
- Media corporations, journalists in radio and television,
- Publishing houses, newspaper/magazine journalists
- Online journalists and NGO-based online information
- Podcasters, influencers..
- Social media platforms
3. Rules
Finally discuss:
- What rules must exist to ensure that media actors can fulfil these tasks on the one hand,
- What rules should ensure that they do not abuse their privileges on the other.
The following areas can serve as inspiration and for sorting purposes
- Legal requirements & regulations
- Contracts & terms of service for users and authors
- Social norms
- Features and construction of platforms
Areas of media governance
Reflection
Looking back a little.
- When was it particularly important for democracy to have independent media? Give examples from countries in your region or local examples.
- Are journalists powerful?
Looking forward.
- What will happen to the media if everything continues as it is?
- What should remain? What needs to be done?
- What can individuals do for a democratic infosphere/a democratic media ecosystem?<
Reference
Schmidt, J-H. (2022. Zwischen Partizipationsversprechen und Algorithmenmacht. Wie soziale Medien politisches Handeln prägen. Erfurt: Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Thüringen
Handbook: More than Go with the Flow
- A handbook on Digital Citizenship Education, created in the frame of the project DIYW-ROAD/Competendo. Digital Youth Work - rights-sensitive, open, accessible, democratic.
- Unless otherwise stated, authors and editors of the methods published in the project are Elisa Rapetti, Markus José Plasencia Kanzler, and Nils-Eyk Zimmermann
