Structural changes and organisations in the print media markets of Post-Communist East Central Europe

AbstractIntroductionFollowing the demise of the communist regimes new rules and forces were introduced and new conditions emerged in the print media markets of East Central Europe. It is usually envisaged that the print media transformed from a communist type to a market-driven pluralistic system. Three main processes can be distinguished in the post-communist transformation of the print media: democratisation, marketisation and commercialisation. Democratisation refers to the changing political functions of the media with a general aim towards pluralistic and free media. Marketisation means the establishment of market forces and institutions in the sector. Commercialisation relates to the process where the commercial and commodity roles of the media came into prominence. The transformation of the print media can be examined from different perspectives. This article focuses on two aspects: structural developments in the market segments and ownership changes, especially those related to the issue of nation...