01-27-2009.doc

JL MC 476- 01/27/09 Media in Western Europe, Belgium Media Development Well developed media systems Diverse media market Freest media in the world Fit under the Libertarian press model Print Media Decrease in newspaper circulation Increase in special interest magazines North-South divide Leaders in newspaper readership Sweden and Finland Subscription model Laggards France and Belgium Liberal vs. conservative press Broadcast media Started as public service Radio in 1920?s TV in 1950?s Educational function Broadcast deregulation 1970?s to 1980?s Public and private stations today EU regulations and initiatives Television without frontiers Media program E-Europe 2005 Eastern Union Established in 1950 European Coal and Steel community Economic union; political integration 6 founders: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands 15 countries eventually joined (E-15) Belgium 10,379,067 inhabitants Size of Maryland GDP per capita $31,800 in 2006 Multilingualism Dutch in the North, known as Flanders French in the South, known as Wallonia German in the East Brussels Capital of Belgium Headquarters of EU and NATO Media facts Most heavily cabled country in the world, 95% of households Media policy ?Laissez-Faire? Libertarian Broadcast liberalization (commercial, radio and pay TV) Flanders TV- VRT, public Variety of private programs