Our working group Media and Social Media intends to deal with the issues connected with both fields, which are closely interconnected at all levels, while also locked in a competition for resources and users. We do not intend to limit the discussion to EU media, because all media – including the hyperlocal ones – are interconnected and interdependent, whether through ownership or the global social media.
Within this context, we will look at the challenges facing public broadcasters (TV and radio), as they face accusations from all sides: whether from private competitors (e.g. News International vs. BBC and Ch4 in the UK), governments trying to exert influence on the editorial line of media or, worse, governments managing to gain nearly total control over the media (e.g. Hungary, Poland, etc). We’ll also look at the interdependence between media and social media.
Social media is important because it allows you to reach, nurture, and engage with your target audience — no matter their location. It has become the most influential virtual space where the platform is not only used for social networking but also a great way of digitally advertising our organization.
When talking about media and social media, we cannot forget the countless daily challenges raised by disinformation and cultural wars. The subject is vast and the main challenge will be limiting the scope of the discussion.
Note: We changed the group's name to WG Media and Social Media and to merge it with the WG Social Media, as the subjects covered interact and interconnect at all levels.
What is the aim of this working group in the long run?
At the moment, the main challenge for quality media and public broadcasters is the need to stay relevant and credible, as they face the competition of and onslaught of disinformation through low quality media, aka tabloids, social media. The latest phenomenon, social media and broadcasting organisations set up to serve a specific leader or a narrowly defined agenda – usually from the extreme right, e.g. Trump’s social media ventures, GB News in the UK. If this working group can raise awareness in the issues faced by the industries involved, identify the challenges and come up with policy and action proposals, it will have done its job.
In regards of Social Media, we are working together on strategies and plans on how to reach more people on Social Media to get ELfR known. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn are the most important Social Media platforms we must serve. Also Social Media projects shall be regularly worked on.
About our working group chairpersons Piotr Azia (media) and Theresa Zettl (social media):
I started my career as foreign correspondent for Polish (émigré) newspapers from Italy, then I worked for international relations at RAI, the Italian public broadcaster. I joined the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) in 1974, working for the Eurovision News Exchange until my retirement. My work involved editorial, technical and administrative aspects, it was fast-paced and varied. During this time I witnessed the European public service broadcasters evolving from lumbering, bureaucratic machines to large, but nimble-footed organisations, waging a daily battle against private competitors.
I am Polish-Italian, I live in Switzerland and Spain and I find national borders too tight and limiting, my real nationality is European.
With years of professional experience in international sales and digital marketing, I want to share my experience and knowledge with European Liberals for Reform.
Over the last few years the importance of Social Media networking for companies promoting their brands and products as well as for political parties and organisations has grown massively. It shall not be underestimated how Social Media can be used to reach out to people all over the world!
If you are interested in participating in this working group, please send an email with your contact details to: media@elfr.eu and Piotr Azia and/or Theresa Zettl will come back to you as soon as possible. We are looking forward to your contribution!
Our group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elfr.wg.media – is home to discussions and announcements of upcoming meetings.
Working group online meetings and webinars
Our upcoming working group meetings are shown here on our site.
Author Profile
- Piotr Azia, Polish-Italian, I feel more European than anything else. My contributions range from the media to culture, the environment and geopolitics – and any subject that may merit discussing from a liberal point of view. I also organise ELfR webinars – get in touch if you have a subject you’d like to discuss or see included in future
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