How to use consultative programming structures

The report The ways in which the public, in all its diversity, can be involved in consultative programming structures was commissioned by the Council of Europe Group of Specialists on Media Diversity (MC-S-MD), to research the role of the media in promoting social cohesion and the integration of different communities and in particular addresses the ways in which the public in all its diversity can be involved in consultative programming structures across TV, radio, newspapers and new media.

The report gets to the conclusion that the mere formal existence of consultative programming structures does not guarantee that viewers’, listeners’ and readers rights are protected; on the other hand, the responsibility of a more proactive participation in such structures relies on civil society organizations representing different groups in society, including immigrants and minorities.

When they are proactive, civil society organisations provide extremely valuable work to monitor the media, representing viewers’ interests within the industry, and providing information and discussion forums to media users. Where these organisations are weak or non existent there is a need to encourage their establishment and development.

Main recommendation provided by the report are that awareness of consultative programming structures has to be increased, and the cause of non-participation to be researched further with the collaboration of all the stakeholders involved in this process. Platforms bringing together media institutions, policy makers and civil society are envisaged, in order to help raise the awareness on consultative programming structures, as well as the opportunities and challenges offered by digital media.