By Laurence Monnot and Andrea Sedlaczek, COMMIT
At the second meeting of the Citizens‘ Parliament on Media and Democracy, on April 5, members discussed the media system and media regulation. A presentation by Prof. Nikolaus Forgó from Vienna University was followed by a question and answer session. In the afternoon, participants worked in committees to draft resolutions, which were later discussed and voted on in plenary. They adopted 19 resolutions on media systems and media regulation.
Democracy means participation
At the beginning of the session, participants discussed their own meanings of democracy. It was agreed that democracy goes far beyond elections and requires various forms of active citizen participation. Freedom of expression was seen as a key element of democracy, and the will of the majority should be implemented without oppressing minorities.
Building on the first meeting, where they established common principles for respectful and productive cooperation, members agreed on the process for adopting resolutions: Proposals are first developed and voted on in committees, before being evaluated, discussed and, if necessary, revised in plenary. All members have the right to veto resolutions but should justify their vetoes. Resolutions can be amended in plenary to gain approval. Resolutions with fewer than four vetoes are adopted, and the vetoes are notified.
Questions and answers on media regulation
A video interview with Beata Klimkiewicz from the EU research project MeDeMAP provided participants with an overview of media systems and media regulation and highlighted the role of media in supporting democracy.
Prof. Nikolaus Forgó, Professor of Technology and Intellectual Property Law at the University of Vienna, then gave a vivid insight into the possibilities of regulating media and digital platforms at national and European levels and answered questions from CP members.
Graphic artist Daniela Ekl illustrated the issues with a skillful graphic recording. Unfortunately, the second input with the Secretary General of Presseclub Concordia had to be cancelled at short notice due to illness.
Support quality journalism and media literacy
In their subsequent discussions, the members identified issues in four major thematic areas: “Between regulation and censorship, supporting media freedom”, “Quality of media content and transparency”, “Creating a European media system including social platforms” and “Media literacy and citizens’ participation”. In the afternoon, the participants developed resolution proposals on these issues in four committees. The resolutions were discussed in plenary, reformulated when necessary and put to the vote.
Among the 19 resolutions adopted, many call for the promotion of quality journalism. The resolutions also call for measures to foster media literacy and for targeted state financial support for the media.
The resolutions are addressed to Austrian politicians responsible for media policy, to media representatives, as well as to the European Commission, i.e. when it comes to regulating large internet platforms. They will be presented to Austrian stakeholders and the public in Vienna in June.
Next meeting on participation in and through the media
„Satisfied but exhausted„. This was how the participants commented on their intense journey, guided by moderators Ruth Picker and Markus Götsch. The third meeting on participation in and through the media will take place on 26 April and will be introduced by Prof. Sieglinde Rosenberger from the University of Vienna and journalist Sarah Emler.