INTRODUCTION

This book examines a complex process: the impact of political transitions on media structures and the impact of changing media structures on political reform. In particular, the effort was to study the difficult moves toward more democratic institutions in a widely varied set of contexts. The study introduces hypotheses concerning forms of intervention in media law and policy that might assist scholars, government officials, and society in general to render media more plural and diverse. The chapters explore the timing or stages within the overall media reform process. International organizations, entities committed to the building of civil society, regional aggregations, and private corporations are struggling in regard to the shape of media space and its impact on individuals and society. The purpose here is to search for common themes, common approaches, and a greater understanding of the relationship between public actions and social results.