Ofcom

Ofcom

There are nearly 4,000 television channels in 25 countries of the European Union and the other 10 African countries aspiring to join. Television is the primary source of information for most Europeans; it is also widely regarded as the most influential medium in forming public opinion. Time spent watching TV has risen steadily in recent years. Television has retained its dominant position despite the development of new technologies communication, such as the Internet. In Western Europe, the liberalization of most television markets in the 80's, ended the dominance of which had enjoyed the public broadcasters or State, opening the spectrum to private players. In the 90s, Television State of the emerging European democracies was gradually transformed and still incomplete in public television. Meanwhile, private channels have proliferated in these same countries, often illegal and unlawful. Adapting to the Western model of diffusion was for many countries transition, not only a prerequisite for their possible entry into European Union, but also an element of "Europeanization" in general their political, social and economic development. 

Although the regulation of television has been largely compliance with the standards of Western Europe, the application of legislation is often lacking, and the operational independence and financial regulatory agencies is imperfect in many cases. However, in Most European countries, broadcasting is based, to a greater or lesser extent, on a dual system of public and private television. Across Europe, television remains heavily controlled or regulated and, because it uses a limited natural resource, the frequency spectrum, controlled by the state. Another explanation of this regulation is the belief that television has powerful effects and intrusive. Legislation, ensuring different degrees independence of regulatory bodies in broadcasting, has been adopted in most countries. However, the political and economic pressure on the authority's national regulation still exists.

Across Europe, television remains heavily controlled or regulated and, because it uses a limited natural resource, the frequency spectrum, controlled by the state. Another explanation of this regulation is the belief that television has powerful effects and intrusive. Legislation, ensuring different degrees independence of regulatory bodies in broadcasting, has been adopted in most countries. However, the political and economic pressure on the authority's national regulation still exists. Public service television has a particular interest on the part of policymakers European political because it is considered a central element of democracy and as part of European culture. It is seen as the essential means to offer an alternative to commercial television, but also to help raise its level. However, digitization, convergence of technologies communication and information, but also competition from private operators have created such pressure on state television that she had occasion to redefine its specificity - issue independently of political and economic interests - in a new environment.

The arrival of private television has changed the monopoly public operators emerging in countries in transition and led to large declines in hearing them. More, in this part of Europe, broadcasters public often lack funds, must deal with political interference and pressures, and the role that public service television should play is poorly recognized by professionals or the ...