Media in Europe: the Big Picture of Ownership
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European Federation of Journalists European Federation of Journalists No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The contents of this publication are copyrighted and the rights to use of contributions rests with the authors themselves. Publisher: Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary Design: Ruth Harland • Mosaik • [email protected] Managing Editor – Marc Gruber Printed by Druk. Hoeilaart, Belgium Published in Belgium by the International Federation of Journalists © 005 International Federation of Journalists International Press Centre • Residence Palace, Block C 155 rue de la Loi • B - 1040 Brussels • Belgium The research for this report was completed in August 005. The EFJ would like to acknowledge the following contributors: Granville Williams for research and drafting of the original report Adrien Collin for the country reports on Eastern Europe Media Power in Europe: The Big Picture of Ownership Katrin Heyeckaus for the 005 Report and Rachel Cohen for assistance Media Power in Europe: The Big Picture of Ownership Media Power in Europe: The Big Picture of Ownership Media Power in Europe: The Big Picture of Ownership European Federation of Journalists Contents Contents Media Power in Europe: The Big Picture of Ownership ..............................................1 Preface ....................................................................................................................................4 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................5 Major Players in the European Media Landscape ........................................................10 Austria ..................................................................................................................................18 Belgium .................................................................................................................................22 Bosnia-Herzegovina ...........................................................................................................27 Bulgaria .................................................................................................................................30 Croatia ..................................................................................................................................34 Cyprus ..................................................................................................................................38 Czech Republic ...................................................................................................................40 Denmark ..............................................................................................................................45 Estonia ..................................................................................................................................48 Finland ...................................................................................................................................51 France ...................................................................................................................................55 Germany...............................................................................................................................61 Greece ..................................................................................................................................69 Hungary ................................................................................................................................72 Ireland ...................................................................................................................................78 Italy ........................................................................................................................................82 Latvia .....................................................................................................................................91 Lithuania ...............................................................................................................................93 Luxembourg ........................................................................................................................95 Macedonia ............................................................................................................................97 Media Power in Europe: The Big Picture of Ownership Malta ................................................................................................................................... 100 The Netherlands ............................................................................................................. 102 Norway .............................................................................................................................. 107 Poland ................................................................................................................................ 113 Portugal ............................................................................................................................. 120 Romania ............................................................................................................................. 123 Serbia and Montenegro ................................................................................................. 127 Slovakia .............................................................................................................................. 132 Slovenia .............................................................................................................................. 136 Spain ................................................................................................................................... 139 Sweden .............................................................................................................................. 145 Switzerland ....................................................................................................................... 150 United Kingdom .............................................................................................................. 154 Preface The issue of media concentration is back on the political agenda, not least because of the rapid transformation of the global media landscape and the introduction of new information technologies that now give people the opportunity to get their journalism and information from a kaleidoscope of sources – the telephone, the computer, their iPod or Walkman, as well as their satellite television, digital radio and the traditional range of newspapers and broadcasting outlets. Many politicians, particularly those in the European Parliament have repeatedly European Federation of Journalists expressed concerns over the growth of huge media companies that are exercis- ing unprecedented levels of political and commercial influence. In the process they threaten diversity and pluralism in society. The problem is we are overwhelmed by information, but is it of good quality? Is it strengthening our democratic values? Is it creating genuine pluralism? Is concen- tration bad news for Europe, or is it opening the door to real choice for consum- ers and citizens? This survey looks at the impact of media ownership developments in Europe. It finds that pluralism is under pressure and reveals that we do need some honest and critical thinking about how to answer searching questions. The global media are dominated by American media interests. If Europe is to join the global market it must do so on its own terms, by ensuring that exploitation of the media economy does not mean we have to abandon notions of pluralism, local diversity, and respect for the social rights of people working within the sector – all of which are key elements in the European economic and social model. This survey indicates what is happening and is also a wake-up call to the Euro- pean Union that pluralism is not just an issue to be left to local politicians – it is a European issue that requires a European response. Without it there will be policy drift and the European model of democracy that we have taken for granted for generations will be compromised. Aidan White General Secretary Media Power in Europe: The Big Picture of Ownership Introduction Introduction Freedom of the media – and the freedom of expression in general – are the backbone of democracy. This is why the Media are often called the “Fourth Estate”. Freedom of the media is fundamental to the EU as stated in the Treaty of the European Union, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Media plurality is essential for such freedom to exist. The European Union must address the problem posed by threats to media plurality such as the ongoing media concentration and the emergence of media monopolies. Put it another way, the market trend towards concentration in the European media sector during recent years entails two dangers. The first danger is the creation of significant market power of undertakings – or even monopoly – that significantly impedes competition, ultimately to the detriment of consumer welfare. This very often coincides with the second danger, namely the possibility for a limited number of media companies to curtail media plurality, diversity and freedom of information. The distinction between these two different facets