Press systems and media-government relations in the Czech and Slovak republics

Abstract

Post-communist realities have made it necessary for the media in East Central Europe to redefine their role. Yet politicians and journalists in the region hold a wide range of views about what that role should be. Although united for over fifty years, the newly independent Czech and Slovak republics have inherited significantly different economic and political conditions, which have contributed to differences in their respective press systems and to the development of very different relationships between the government and media. Yet despite divergent views on the media's role, media policy in both countries will be increasingly determined by economic factors. The following paper examines these issues.

Media Transitions in Bosnia

“…However, as Wilson (1994) found, because of unique social, historical and economic factors, not all media transitions yield the same outcome. The purpose of this article is to describe the media transition in Bosnia.…”

Market or Party Controls?

“…As a global phenomenon, media transition can be facilitated by political upheavals, as found in the former Soviet Union; or by technology alterations, as in the US; or by economic changes, as in China. Often contingent to each other and yet influenced by a country's unique historic, social and economic changes, not all media transitions yield the same outcome (Wilson, 1994). As one of the world's remaining Communist regimes, China provides a unique study of media transition amid a vigorous capitalist economic revival while at the same time continuing a Communist political system.…”