Media education for a European civic space

A civic space: defining elements The public/civic space provides a symbolic-discursive context in which public opinion can develop. It includes different linchpins or constituent elements namely: –AGENTS (political agents, researchers, experts, journalists, ordinary men and women, etc.) with their beliefs, their interests and their ideological positions); –DISCURSIVE/ARGUMENTATION CONTENT (with their critical or factual/analytical overtones; their cognitive perspectives - common sense, philosophy, religion, science, etc.; their themes for debate and controversy; –COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION RESOURCES (traditional and new).../...

A civic space: defining elements (cont.) Strictly speaking, the public space can be differentiated from the civic space as the former may be considered as the starting point and the latter as the arrival point. The civic space necessarily presupposes the free, open and multiple participation of its citizens; It is in the public/civic space that historic memory, different versions of contemporary reality and forecasts for the future are woven together.

A civic space: defining elements (cont.) The public/civic space implies a process of collective construction in relation to the structures and institutions of power. This means that the P/C space may be more or less open or more or less closed

The European civic space The European civic space is an abstract construction in the throes of development and materialisation The CEE receives (is built on the basis of...) contributions from different national public and civic spaces

The European civic space Promotion and development factors in the European civic space: Formalised European citizenship (legal framework, treaties, Constitution, etc.); Political will as well as civil society resolve The drive of the communication and information professionals

The European civic space Restrictive factors in the civic space: 'Egoistic' factors and nationalistic and regional traditions; Lack of specifically European communication resources

The European civic space Their more or less 'strong', more or less 'weak' driving force (agents, constituent elements, discursive content conveyed, etc.) may lead to effects that are: Positive (consolidation of European citizenship) Negative (reduction in the plurality of public opinion about Europe)

The media & power  Between myth and reality: objectivity / subjectivity / honesty …  A (counter) power? to form an opinion; re-establish the truth; exercise the Right of expression & the Right to information historically, the press has supported democratic progress But dangers and abuses exist: relations / collusion between the sources of information and political parties  How do the new media differ from the old media?

The media & democracy What conditions for a democratic press? liberty, independence, pluralism, professional ethics Is the reader considered as a citizen or a consumer? Problem of competition and market economy: selling (advertisers, advertising collateral) / audience ratings / please, distract, win over Information or propaganda: manipulation, falsification? The code of ethics

The media and the civic European space What is Europe's position in the media? Is there a European viewpoint? European questions? Where does European information come from? What are the constraints in constructing cross-border information? Is there a European media space? what are the media objectives? who is interested in 'European subjects'? who are the readers / listeners / viewers, European citizen public? European information and national constraints

Media education  A real need: the populations are massive consumers of television cf. the European commission  To maintain democracy: an ongoing struggle  Plays a role in citizenship education: i.e. the school newspaper as a democratic experience  the development of citizenship skills cf. chart and marelles

Skills concerning : media interests in society, what the media offers Understanding how the different forms of media work, Know how to: use it, recognise the sources, cross reference, identify the way information is treated in the different types of media, compare, complete information by using the different forms of media (printed, TV, internet etc.), select, exercise a critical mind, discuss, become involved, step back Learn how to write a press article, a radio programme, a video report Media education: skills

Key objective media education: Offer pupils and young adults the possibility to become active citizens and informed citizens through active and democratic European citizenship