Television and the Viewer Interest: Explorations in the Responsiveness of European Broadcasters: No. 18. (EIM Media Monographs) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0861964403 ISBN 13: 9780861964406

Publisher: John Libbey & Company Ltd, 1994

Synopsis

How do television broadcasters take account of the interests and needs of viewers? What are they required to do by laws and regulations? What do they do of their own initiative? How do they respond to the attitudes and opinions of individual consumers, and to growing pressure from viewer and consumer groups? This study is a comparative European analysis of the current situation and possible future developments in the Czeck and Slovak Republics, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Each chapter is written by a specialist from the country concerned, and is based on replies to questionnaires sent to government and regulatory bodies, public and private television broadcasting organizations, and viewer and consumer groups. The issues covered include political and regulatory accountability of broadcasters, and their use of consultative and advisory bodies, as well as their responsiveness to the wishes of advertisers, sensitivity to press comment, use of audience research and direct audience feedback, and reactions to the increasingly well-organized representation of viewers' interests. These topics are analyzed from three different perspectives - the broadcasters themselves, regulatory bodies, and viewer and consumer groups. The study's conclusion is that neither the "public service" nor the "market" approach to television is enough in itself to ensure that viewers' interests are taken into account. None of the countries taking part in the project has found the perfect solution, but there is a surprisingly long and varied list of innovations which aim to improve the situation. These provide a practical guide to the future in which the interests of viewers will be an increasingly important factor in decisions about broadcasting policy and practice.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Libbey & Company Ltd
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0861964403
• ISBN 13: 9780861964406
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264
• Editor: Mitchell Jeremy, Blumer Jay G., Blumler Jay G., Mounier Philippe, Bundschuh Anja