Original scientific paper
Impact of Economic and Cultural Factors on Television Production in Small Nations
Auksė Balčytienė
; Department of Public Communications, Faculty of Political
Kristina Juraitė
; Department of Public Communications, Faculty of Political
Abstract
While analyzing Lithuanian television production (generic diversity and TV
news output on public service and commercial stations), discussion here
moves on several levels of analysis. More specifically, this paper addresses
economic and journalistic cultural parameters as key factors affecting contemporary
media changes in Lithuania and other small Baltic nations. As media
practice reveals, liberalization of the media, its gradual transition from the
state-funded to the market-driven model and changing conditions of professional
journalism has made the media in the three Baltic countries very sensitive
to market mechanisms. On the one hand, small size of media market,
shrinking possibilities of media advertising and growing competitiveness
among media players set up favorable conditions for commercialization and
popularization of media content. On the other hand, the cultural1 factor is of
no less importance when assessing TV production particularities in the countries
of young democracy. Based on empirical evidence (generic analysis of
TV production on different channels), the authors observe increasing emphasis
on entertainment and soft programming rather than informational and analytical
programs on public service and commercial television. At the same time, intensions are observed to follow the requirements of journalistic professionalism
(diverse and balanced reporting) on TV news programs.
Keywords
Baltic media; Lithuanian TV production; small market; journalism culture; public interest; public service; commercialization
Hrčak ID:
46039
URI
Publication date:
2.12.2009.
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