The Future of the Control of Media Concentration
Not just since the publishing house Axel-Springer-Verlag was refused a majority shareholding in ProSieben SAT.1 Media AG have the regulation and the processes of controlling concentration in the media field been the subject of jurisprudential and juridical policy-making discussions. Ambiguities exist above all, when so-called cross-media integration is included (that is, for instance, broadcasting and the press): is the current focus on broadcasting still appropriate? What significance accrues to online and mobile offerings in this context? How can an unambiguous legal situation and security at law be guaranteed for the benefit of all involved parties?
After the Institute had offered suggestions for developing the control of concentration further, an analysis was made in 2007 for the Commission on Concentration in the Media (Kommission zur Ermittlung der Konzentration im Medienbereich KEK) on the legislative reaction in other countries to cross-media connections.
Publications
The State Media Authorities (Ed.) (2007): Crossmediale Verflechtungen als Herausforderung für die Konzentrationskontrolle. Bericht der Kommission zur Ermittlung der Konzentration im Medienbereich (KEK) [Crossmedial Interconnections as a Challenge for the Control of Concentration. Report of the Commission on Concentration in the Media]. Berlin.
Schulz, W.; Held, T. (2006): Kontrolle vorherrschender Meinungsmacht in der Informationsgesellschaft [The Control of Dominant Opinion-forming Capacity in the Information Society]. Berlin.
Schulz, W.; Held, T. (2006): Die Zukunft der Kontrolle von Meinungsmacht [The Future of Control over Dominant Influence on Public Opinion]. Berlin (pdf-file German).
Lectures
„Power of Opinion in Broadcasting – Controlling Concentration, the Example of Springer/Sat1“, lecture at the 2. Harburger Conversation of the SPD, „Media, Power, Opinion“, 1. March 2006 in Hamburg.
„How do we maintain Media Variety?“, Concluding Remarks a the puplic specialist conversation of the Green MP’s, 20 February 2006 in Hamburg.
Contact person
Hans-Bredow-Institut
Heimhuder Straße 21
D - 20148 Hamburg
Tel. +49 (0)40 45 02 17 - 0
Fax +49 (0)40 45 02 17 - 77