IREX
International Research & Exchanges Board

Media Sustainability Index (MSI) - Europe and Eurasia

MSI Europe & Eurasia 2008

Photo Journalist and Police Officer

This publication was made possible through support provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Cooperative Agreement No. DGS-A-00-99-00015-00 US Agency for International Development (USAID)

The Development of Sustainable Media in Europe and Eurasia

ISSN 1546-0878

Introduction
I am pleased to introduce the Media Sustainability Index (MSI) 2008. The MSI 2008 provides an analysis of the media environment in 21 countries of Europe and Eurasia during 2007 and together with previous versions shows trends in the media sector since 2001. Since the MSI was first conceived in 2000 and launched in 2001, in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it has evolved into a key benchmark study to assess how media structures change over time and across borders. More

Executive Summary
The 2008 Media Sustainability Index (MSI) represents the seventh iteration of this analytical report, first conducted in 2001. The analyses presented in this year’s version show a largely stagnant media sector both across the region as a whole and in subregions, with some specific exceptions. A period of settling in seems to have occurred over the past 2 years: the period of “color” revolutions is a receding memory, elections proceed apace, and efforts to reform media laws, develop sound management, and train the next generation of reporters continues. More

Methodology
The MSI assesses five “objectives” in shaping a successful media system:

  1. Legal and social norms protect and promote free speech and access to public information.
  2. Journalism meets professional standards of quality.
  3. Multiple news sources provide citizens with reliable and objective news.
  4. Independent media are well-managed businesses, allowing editorial independence.
  5. Supporting institutions function in the professional interests of independent media. More

Country Chapters

Additional chapters will be posted as they become available.


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