Sessions on political communication will examine how the transition to democracy in CEE countries has been accompanied by, on the one hand, a hasty introduction of market perspectives and, on the other hand, ongoing control over the media by political forces and institutions. What are the results and implications for establishing a media democracy? What is the role of Western media industries? How has journalism developed? What scientific evidence exists of the media impact on public opinions?

Conveners of this theme are Gianpietro Mazzoleni and Kevin G. Barnhurst from the Political Communication Division of the International Communication Association.