MORE EUROPE: MORE UNITY, MORE DIVERSITY? THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN AUDIOVISUAL SPACE
In: Media and Cultural Policy in the European UnionSearch for other papers by Hedwig de Smaele in
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Abstract
This article studies the link between the Eastern enlargement of the European Union and issues of audiovisual policy and audiovisual markets. The main link between audiovisual policy and EU enlargement is through alignment with the Community acquis, in particular the Television Without Frontiers Directive. Legislative alignment has been achieved in all Central and Eastern European countries by adopting new media laws. This process can be described one of (neutrally defined) Europeanization. EU enlargement offers opportunities for Central and Eastern European audiovisual industries such as increased investments and funding, cooperation partners, and enhanced export possibilities, but also bears the threat of Europeanization as a process of cultural diffusion or cultural dominance. Both Eastern and Western Europe, however, are culturally and linguistically fragmented. Enlargement, it is argued, basically enlarges the characteristics of the European audiovisual market. Enlargement adds to Europe ‘more of the same’: more diversity, more languages, and more (audiovisual) cultures.