If the local media disappears, democracy is at risk: Does this thesis also apply to Styria?
How are the number of local media and the success of right-wing populist parties related? This is definitely a hot research topic; The Hamburg Media School presented the study “Desert Radar” just on Monday. The thesis behind it: The emergence of local and regional newspapers has a negative impact on democracy (political participation, polarization) and the community (behavior of politicians and companies). The study shows where in Germany there are so many local media – and how their number has fallen. There are no so-called media deserts without their own local newspaper, but they are “steppes,” he says. These are mostly in the east, where right-wing opposition parties are on the rise.
What is it like in Styria, where the FPÖ recently achieved its biggest electoral success? “For Austria, the statement that there is an undersupply of regional and local media is definitely not true,” says communication scientist Matthias Karmasin. Thinning out of the local media cannot be proven empirically. “The old sociological joke – that place proves the point – applies to few things as well as the media. “
Strong media in the green market
Especially in Styria is the “Kleine Zeitung”, which is also available Styria Media Group the free paper “Woche” in addition to the competition”The Crown Gazette” Strong local media, says media analyst Peter Plaikner. “We still don’t have such a situation in Germany and the US,” he says. There are certainly media deserts in the US. Where a vacuum is created, it will be filled, warns Karmasin. Not necessarily through a media that works carefully to a journalist. Satire also showed this Jan Böhmermann: Recently showed in “ZDF Magazin Royale” how free high-circulation newspapers, which at first glance look like real media, are intertwined with the AfD.
“Propaganda media is not bad journalism. “It’s not journalism at all,” Karmasin explained. Why do people read these papers and consider them to be just as reliable as real media, as Plaikner reports? “It almost always gets points – that’s the danger,” he says. Recognizing the difference between bad and dubious requires a high level of media literacy, says Karmasin. But: “No you can always look at the behavior of the media. Not enough is being done in media management to adequately address the problem.”
2024-11-26 16:14:00
#Media #deserts #rightwing #populism #thrives
Here are two PAA (Point, Authority, Application) related questions based on the provided interview introduction:
## World Today News Interview: Local Media and the Rise of Right-Wing Populism
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. In light of recent research highlighting the correlation between the decline of local media and the rise of right-wing populism, we’ve invited two distinguished guests to discuss this pressing issue. Joining us today are Professor Matthias Karmasin, a renowned communication scientist, and Mr. Peter Plaikner, a leading media analyst. Gentlemen, thank you for joining us.
**Section 1: The “Desert Radar” Study and its Implications:**
* **Moderator:** Professor Karmasin, the “Desert Radar” study suggests a troubling link between the disappearance of local media and the rise of right-wing populism. Can you elaborate on the study’s findings and their implications for democratic societies?
* **Professor Karmasin:**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Plaikner, what are your thoughts on the study’s findings, particularly the focus on “media steppes”?
* **Mr. Plaikner:**
**Section 2: The Austrian Context: Styria as a Case Study:**
* **Moderator:** Professor Karmasin, the study suggests that Germany is experiencing a significant decline in local media. However, the article mentions that Austria, specifically Styria, doesn’t seem to face the same issue. Could you elaborate on the media landscape in Styria and how it differs from the situation in Germany?
* **Professor Karmasin:**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Plaikner, how do you assess the strength and diversity of the media landscape in Styria, considering the presence of both the “Kleine Zeitung” and the “Kronen Zeitung?”
* **Mr. Plaikner:**
**Section 3: The Dangers of ”Propaganda Media” and the Need for Media Literacy:**
* **Moderator:** Professor Karmasin, the article highlights the emergence of “propaganda media” that masquerade as legitimate news sources. What are the dangers of such media, and how can individuals distinguish between reliable and dubious sources?
* **Professor Karmasin:**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Plaikner, how can we address the issue of media literacy in a way that empowers individuals to critically evaluate the information they encounter?
* **Mr. Plaikner:**
**Section 4: Looking Ahead: The Future of Local Media and Democracy:**
* **Moderator:** Both of you have highlighted the importance of strong local media for a healthy democracy. What steps can be taken to ensure the future of local journalism in the face of economic challenges and the rise of online platforms?
* **Professor Karmasin:**
* **Mr. Plaikner:**
**Conclusion:**
* **Moderator:** Thank you, Professor Karmasin and Mr. Plaikner, for this insightful discussion. The relationship between local media and the rise of right-wing populism is a complex and concerning issue that demands further attention and analysis. It’s clear that fostering media literacy and supporting independent journalism are crucial steps towards safeguarding democratic values in an increasingly complex media landscape.
留心: 这些问题旨在激发对话和不同的观点。请根据访谈嘉宾的回答进行跟进提问，以进一步深入探讨相关主题。
