[ecrea] CALL FOR PAPERS DEADLINE EXTENSION: The Central European Journal of Communication - Special Issue: "The Extension of Public Service Media in the Multiplatform Scenario"

*CALL FOR PAPERS *

*“Central European Journal of Communication”*

Volume 6, No 2 (11) Fall 2013


Editor: Michal Glowacki

Guest Editor: Roberto Suarez Candel


/SPECIAL ISSUE: The Extension of Public Service Media in the 
Multiplatform Scenario/

*Introduction*


Digitalization and the subsequent technological innovations have 
fostered the detachment between content, physical supports, networks and 
devices. At the same time, the latter become more versatile thanks to 
convergence and acquire a new leading role in the media and 
communication ecosystem. As a result, a multiplatform scenario is being 
configured. This has a major impact on media contents and services, 
which today experience a strong wave of innovation and hybridization. 
Being available online is not any more an add-on but a pre-requisite for 
success. In addition, mobility emerges as the next distribution trend. 
Consequently, ubiquity, time-shifting, on-demand, personalization and 
social sharing are becoming current and necessary characteristics of any 
media content.

In the case of Public Service, technology innovation 
allows its operators deploying new offers that overcome the borders of 
broadcasting. In fact, public operators are demonstrating that they are 
still innovators and pioneers. Across Europe, many of them have 
developed a wide range of online and mobile services that have become 
'flagships' of the market.

This evolution and extension of Public 
Service has led to a confrontation between players within the media 
sector. On the one hand, the private agents argue that the new 
opportunities enabled by technology, and the associated potential 
revenues, should exclusively belong to the commercial sphere. Otherwise, 
according to their own calculations and benefit expectations, market 
viability, development and growth might be jeopardized. From their point 
of view, most of the innovation activities carried out by Public Service 
Media exceed their remit and distort free competition. On the other 
hand, it is evident that the configuration of a digital and 
multiplatform media scenario generates opportunities for public 
broadcasters to improve their performance and to offer a better service 
as well as a higher value-for-money to the citizens.

Finally, a very 
relevant issue to consider is whether technology can solve existing 
market failures and whether it creates new ones. This fact is crucial in 
order to determine the need for Public Service as a tool to ensure 
universal service and access as well as guarantee the quality, 
pluralism, diversity or the social representativeness of the media offer.


*Objectives*


According to this scenario, this special issue of the Central European 
Journal of Communication wants to explore the current transformations 
and adaptations experienced by Public Service Media operators with 
regard to their remit, organization and performance.

In addition, the 
issue wants to identify the different conflicts arising from that 
evolution and in which way they are addressed by national authorities by 
means of policy or regulatory instruments, like the so called ex-ante 
evaluation procedures.

By means of tackling these facts, this special 
issue also aims to identify and systematize the current debate regarding 
the future role of public service in the field of media.


*Questions*


Submitted articles are expected to provide answers to some of the 
following questions: Which are the main challenges, opportunities and 
risks that public service faces due to the configuration of a 
multiplatform scenario? How do public service operators adapt themselves 
to the multiplatform scenario? What does it imply from the point of view 
of management culture, internal structure, production practices and the 
configuration of an extended offer? What are the main arguments of those 
economic profit oriented players against the extension of public service 
activities? 
How do public service operators counteract the increasing 
hostility of commercial players against them? How can public service 
operators improve the value-for-money proposal that they offer to the 
citizens? 
- What policy and regulatory mechanisms are being implemented 
to address / determine / influence the evolution of public service? Is 
Public Service still necessary in order to face market failure 
situations and to ensure that the media system provides social 
profitability?

*Paper submission*


We ask scholars and researchers interested in publication to submit 
manuscripts of max. 45 000 characters by *31 October 2012*. Eight papers 
for the publication will be selected by *15 November 2012*. Full-length 
papers shall be submitted to (journal /at/ ptks.pl) <mailto:(journal /at/ ptks.pl)> 
and (r.suarez /at/ hans-bredow-institut.de) 
<mailto:(r.suarez /at/ hans-bredow-institut.de)> according to Guidelines for 
Authors laid out on the official website of the CEJC: www.cejc.ptks.pl 
<http://www.cejc.ptks.pl>


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"*Central European Journal of Communication"* (ISSN 1899-5101) - the 
official Journal of the Polish Communication Association is published 
twice a year by the University of Wroclaw Press. One year after 
publication the issue is made freely accessible on "Central European 
Journal of Communication" website: www.cejc.ptks.pl 
<http://www.cejc.ptks.pl>

Forthcoming issues:


Volume 5, No 2 (9) Fall 2012


Special Issue: “Media Accountability: Between Tradition and Innovation”

Guest Editors: Epp Lauk and Michal Kus


--
The Central European Journal of Communication
Polish Communication Association
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