From the Mountains of Visions to the Valleys of Reality

Broadcasting legislation in Eastern and Central Europe after 1989, in the transition period from a totalitarian into a democratic society, falls into four different stages. The first stage was characterized by an enthusiastic awakening to the new media freedoms. The second stage was dominated by a disillusionment. The third stage was overshadowed by a growing power struggle among different political groups to get control over broadcasting, and, in particular, over national television. And, depending upon the level of democracy reached in these countries, a fourth stage may see the building of new public and private radio and television institutions, based on democratic constitutions and media laws, serving the public independent from governmental control, competing in a free broadcasting market for high viewing rates, and integrating, step by step, into transnational European broadcasting frameworks and structures. The speed of transition is varying and will continue to vary from country to country

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