Reverting To Old Ways Never Works - December 21, 2015
Control, having it or losing it, carries great symbolism. The art of communicating symbols is quite powerful. Broadcasters and publishers have practiced this art, sometimes for making money and sometimes for other reasons, for so long it seems innate. To their enduring frustration, politicians, especially the most authoritarian, confuse control with its symbols. Media people never walk backwards.

The Hacks Are Back, Still Looking For Enemies - December 7, 2015
Cultural insecurities are at the root of populist and nationalist political movements. For all the obvious reasons no nation is immune. The media sector, public media in particular, is often singled out for reflecting a more liberal, cosmopolitan society at odds with traditionalists, certainly those with a conspiracy theory or two. Learning from the past is necessary, living there foolish.

Broadcasters Talk About Talking - February 20, 2014
There is a theory among professional mediators that negotiations precede only when all parties visualize failure as unacceptable. Time, then, becomes an object bigger than the table or anything on it. But time, like money, is never in abundant supply. And nobody wants to run out of either.

Advertising Slip Sliding Away - May 20, 2013
With resigned entente it’s accepted that advertising as media’s primary revenue source is slipping away. Advertising in newspapers and magazines fell to the internet first and fastest, readers attracted more to the web’s cornucopia and media buyers following. Television advertising held steady until viewers strayed, the web offering more, sooner, everywhere. Publishers and broadcasters answered by building paywalls. Then internet advertising began slowing.

Working With What Works: A Strategic Development - March 28, 2013
Broadcasters in search of all the nice things that come from increased market share often stare down competitors at every opportunity. Earning market share is costly and time consuming, developing the digital dividend even more so. Acquisitions are either hard to come by or very expensive. Then there’s cooperation.

Hold The Public Broadcasting Revolution, Just Run Out The Clock - September 3, 2012
The biggest challenge for public broadcasters, say some, isn’t funding. Even the richest public broadcasters feel the heat, from commercial broadcasters, new media, publishers and, of course, the politicians. It’s existential. And the long debate sometimes runs out of time.

See also...

Media in Poland – new

Poland is the largest media market of the newest EU Member States and the changes have often been surprising, sometimes radical and never ending. Publishers, broadcasters and new media are plentiful, talented and under constant stress not only from competitors. 122 pages PDF, includes updated Resources (January 2016)

ftm Members Order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order here

Flying Through Turbulence – Media in the New EU Member States

ftm reports on media in the 12 newest EU Member States. Will media find clear air or more turbulence? Country reports, company reports and broadcaster/publisher reports. 98 pages PDF file (February 2007)

ftm Members order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order here