This compelling book assesses the development of the mass media since the Romanian Revolution in December 1989 and the media's impact on cultural development, the public sphere, civil society and democracy. It controversially claims that Romania's failure to experience a thoroughgoing enlightenment project in its entire history remains a major obstacle for producing democratic ownership of the media and democratic development of society. Analyzing both the print and broadcast media and their respective effects on development, the book also discusses the effects of Romanian law on media and societal development, ethics, and media responsibilities. It concludes, however, that far from having an absolutely negative impact on Romanian post-communism, the media has helped produce a contradictory empirical form that equally contains positive moments in terms of subjective cultural development.
Biography
David Berry
'This is the first book to look at the media and their contributions to the development of post-Communist society in Romania. It is based on extensive knowledge of the country as well as being related to key issues in media studies. Berry has produced a useful account that adds significantly to our understanding of the media in contemporary Europe.' European Journal of Communication 'The book is to be welcomed because of its combination of the themes of the media, Romania and the comprehensive analysis of the transformation processes...Berry's analysis is well worth reading by all who are interested in the media and culture of that country. For readers who are simply looking for a research model for the investigation of media systems in states in the process of transformation, a look at this book will also be rewarding.' H-Soz-u-Kult
