Market power and opinion power. Assessing the risks for media pluralism and editorial independence deriving from ownership’s concentration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32091/RIID0228Keywords:
Ownership, Concentration, Pluralism, Editorial independence, Market power, Media plurality test, EMFAAbstract
In premise, we explain why media ownership concentration still matters in the digital age, summarising the relevant literature and the evolution of the European policy debate leading to Article 22 EMFA (assessment of media market concentrations, the so-called “Media plurality test”). We will then expose the rationale for a holistic perspective, which goes beyond the competition law to take into account the broader impact of media ownership concentration on the formation of public opinion, diversity of offer and editorial independence (supply side), as well as the plurality of exposure (demand side). Then we describe the keywords and key indicators of the “Media plurality test”, using the conceptual tools and result of the Media Pluralism Monitor research project to critically analyse its scope and criteria; to investigate potential issues; and to discuss the relationship between ownership’s concentrations and editorial independence. Finally, we highlight the main challenges ahead.
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