ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relationship between European Union (EU) media policy and its external environment in the specific context of the EU's enlargement processes and the effects that have had on the shape of the EU media policy. It analyzes how the priorities were shaped by the EU institutions in terms of assessing media-related issues during the 5th enlargement, and post-accession period. EU enlargement spurred the debate about consistency of norms and standards to be achieved before joining the EU, and the accomplishment of and adherence to norms by new and old members. The chapter examines the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive, the successor to the Television without Frontiers (TWF), by the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries. It describes how the media policy harmonisation inevitably entailed in the processes have been successful in the light of what are landmark important geopolitical changes, whereas others can be regarded as policy lessons learned for the future.
