Global Media Policy & Governance (MECM90002)

The increasingly international and global nature of media production, distribution and audiences has produced a startling array of bodies taking responsibility for policy issues, ranging from technical specifications and the allocation of spectra to content regulation, intellectual property and the protection of cultural heritage. Many of these bodies have long histories (the International Telecommunications Union for example, founded in 1865) while others are very recent (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, ICANN, formed in September 1998). Some of these bodies are non-governmental organisations or not-for-profit corporations, others are formed to administer treaties, or are organs of the United Nations. All balance the demands of media users, media industries and national governments in varying degrees, and all play host to major lobbies and diplomacy. Some bodies have significant influence over the activities of others: the World Trade Organisation’s policy instruments have major impact on the media, for example. This subject will address case studies such as the use of technical standards to enforce commercial property rights, attempts to protect and encourage indigenous media, the discourse and practice of media and ICT for development in order to disentangle the interests at work and the modes of practice of these bodies, and to address critical debates and alternative proposals for policy development.