Środkowoeuropejskie Studia Polityczne, 2016, nr 2
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Item Latvian public service broadcasting (PSB) at a media policy crossroads on the path to public service media (PSM)(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Dimants, AinarsThis paper critically examines Latvian media policy from the point of view of public value theory, regarding the management of public service media. Since 1992, Latvian Television (LTV, 1954) and Latvian Radio (LR, 1925) officially, i.e. according to law, are independent public service media organisations, and consequently two legal entities. In fact LTV and LR are two state enterprises with one supervising council (five members) elected by parliament according to political proportionality – National Electronic Mass Media Council (the NEPLP). Since 2011, the Latvian government has been slowly deciding plans for the reform and creation of a unified PSM corporation, not just a PSB, i.e. including not only radio and TV broadcasting but a multimedia approach, especially on the Internet platform, due to media convergence. Political decisions of government and parliament for the above-mentioned intent are still wanted. Also, an initiative by LTV and NEPLP to establish a Russian language TV channel was not taken further by decision makers.Item Where others fear to tread: the role of journalists in the creation and spreading of negative stereotypes about Roma people(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Veselkova, ZuzanaThis paper deals with the representation of ethnic minorities in the media, focusing mainly on the role of the journalist. It approaches news stories through the prism of the media construction of reality and the cultural concept of representation. Using critical discourse analysis, the study describes the nature of the social reality constructed by the TV news series “Where Others Fear to Tread.” The paper reflects the general attributes of the representation of the Roma minority in the news, pointing out methods and signs used for emphasizing the stereotypes shared by the majority. The analysis shows that the media discourse of news stories could potentially confirm prejudices towards the Roma minority, forming the image of Roma people as essentially maladjusted, dangerous and suspicious individuals.Item Media coverage of corruption: the role of inter-media agenda setting in the context of media reporting on scandals(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Školkay, Andrej; Ištoková, AlenaThe study focuses on two Slovak corruption cases, both well-documented and of similar social relevance, of which one did not receive any cross-media coverage. Moreover, the case of large-scale bribery was rather under-hyped in comparison to other major corruption scandals occurring in the country. The case of cronyism formed a typical example of extremely poor inter-media coverage of highly unfair and politicised cronyism. Through these cases, especially in the one in which the media failed to stimulate the creation of a full-blown scandal, the study further analyses the criteria and circumstances that determine the worthiness of a case for wide media coverage. The study on Slovakia is framed within theories of scandalous reporting and the theory of agenda setting and inter-media agenda setting role of the media, and supported by quantitative analysis of actual media coverage of the bribery case.Item Collusion between politicians and journalists in the context of wiretapping of journalists(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Školkay, AndrejThis case study reports about the collusion scandal behind the widespread wiretapping operations of various journalists. The report, however, focuses mainly on one part of the affair, namely the clear collusion between a journalist from the daily Pravda, and a top politician – a Member of Parliament, whose conversations were also recorded. MP Robert Kaliňák was apparently trying to persuade the reporter Vanda Vavrová to publish discrediting material about his political rival. The study thus largely examines the media’s role in politics and ethical issues resulting from trespass of the journalistic agency for objective and impartial reporting. Moreover, initial coverage of this affair by the selected media is analysed throughout the study to pinpoint the role of Slovak journalists/media while facing the controversial behaviour of one of their peers. It was found that the media actually underplayed the collusion story and focused their attention mostly on the wiretapping affair, strongly condemning the actions by the state authorities. Ironically, a few years later it was proved that the wiretapping of journalists (in contrast to other persons and institutions) was both legal and justified. Moreover, the media ignored the possible political and criminal corruption issues behind the double scandal.Item Inside the Polish media firms: Accountability and transparency in Hie newsrooms(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Głowacki, MichałAlthough the majority of mechanisms and instruments which aim to support media ethics and journalistic professionalization in Poland were introduced at an early stage of political and social transformation in the 1990s, media accountability is still in the making. The moderate level of journalistic professionalization might be explained by the weakness of existing self-regulatory mechanisms (codes of journalistic conduct, The Council of Media Ethics), divisions within journalistic communities (left wing-oriented vs. right-wing politically oriented) and the growing economic pressure. Bearing in mind that decision-making processes, supportive management as well as organizational structures and cultures might have an impact on journalistic behaviour and the understanding of roles and journalistic quality, this paper will go a long way in explaining the state of media accountability and transparency from the perspective of newsrooms. Referencing to the outcomes of empirical international research project “Media Accountability and Transparency in Europe (MediaAcT)” (2010–2013) the study will provide evidence similarities and differences in the perception of tools and existing practices by journalists from different types of media and job positions.Item Photojournalism in Central Europe: on authenticity and ethics(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Láb, Filip; Štefaniková, SandraThe development of the Internet and digital technology by the end of the twentieth century has raised serious disputes about ethics, authenticity and photo manipulation. These concerns are especially relevant in the field of photojournalism in the news media, where credibility matters the most. In this paper we described the current situation in relation to image authenticity and professional ethics in three countries of Central Europe – the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. We asked research questions regarding photo production, circumstances of photographing, image content, technical improvements, manipulation, ethical standards and responsibility. Our findings reveal a complexity of ethical issues related to working with visual news material. During the fieldwork we conducted 65 in-depth interviews and surveys with full-time and freelance photojournalists and photo editors working for printed and online newspapers and opinion magazines in Central Europe.Item Journalistic role performance – the Hungarian case(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Szabó, Gabriella; Kormos, Nikolett; Zagyi, VeronikaThe article introduces the results of an empirical examination of journalistic role performance in Hungary. In reference to the “Journalistic Role Performance Around the Globe” research project (led by Prof. Claudia Mellado from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, in Chile and Lea Hellmueller, from Texas States University, www.journalisticperformance.org), we attempt to discuss the main patterns of role performance in contemporary journalism in Hungary. The presence of six models in news production (watchdog, disseminator-interventionist, civic, loyalfacilitator, service journalism, and infotainment) is investigated by conducting a quantitative content analysis of 1,087 news items published by the national desk of four Hungarian broadsheets in 2012–2013.Item Czech journalists in the 21 st century: who are they?(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Nĕmcová Tejkalová, Alice; Láb, FilipWho are Czech journalists and what do they do? Based on data from 291 interviews with Czech journalists working in the news media at various levels between 2012 and 2014, for the Worlds of Journalism Study (www.worldsofjournalism. org), the paper introduces for the first time an overview of the most important results of the Czech part of the study. We present an analysis of the data on journalists’ working conditions, the most and least important perceived influences on their work, as well as their level of trust in various institutions, recent significant changes perceived in their profession and the professional roles they prefer. The basic demographic data of our sample is also given. The survey was done in two phases, between which significant media ownership changes took place, making the results highly up-to-date. We conclude that the position of journalists is changing. Journalists are required to write more stories than before, yet have less time to research them. Although they assert the importance of journalistic ethics, they have also perceived that ethical standards have somewhat weakened recently. Nevertheless, they express a high level of autonomy and freedom in their work.Item Continuities and discontinuities: changing patterns in journalism and media in Central and Eastern Europe(Wydawnictwo Naukowe WNPiD UAM w Poznaniu, 2016) Stępińska, Agnieszka; Szabó, GabriellThe aim of this Special Issue of Central European Political Studies is to bring media scholars together and to reflect on the current trends in political journalism in our region. The focus of the articles is trained on the discovery of the shifts and continuities in journalistic practises 25 years after the collapse of the communist regimes. Some of the findings and conclusions presented in the volume come from studies conducted within the framework of international comparative research projects such as Worlds of Journalism, Journalistic Role Performance Around the Globe, or Media Accountability and Transparency in Europe (MediaAcT). The others come from single, national empirical studies or analyses on the media systems conducted in the Central and Eastern countries.