how can new media be used to stimulate public debate on eu enlargement

“How can new media be used to stimulate

the public debate on EU Enlargement?”

By EYJA Alumni team, Istanbul, May 2010

NEW MEDIA ?

Web definitions

• Interactive digital media, such as the Internet, as opposed to traditional media, such as print and television.

• New means, specifically electronic means of mass communication considered collectively (Oxford English Dictionary, 2003). Examples of new media include the Internet, mobile devices, electronic games, blogs and podcasting.

• A term meant to encompass the emergence of digital, computerized, or networked information and communication technologies in the later part of the 20th century.

Advantages of New Media

High impact Freedom of choice Usefulness Instant availability Kudos Effectiveness Appropriateness The capability to sustain long term relationships Expandability

• New audiences. Participation vs. consumerism;

• Facebook, Twitter and other online social networks;

• Dialogue on EU issues;

• Discussion online;

• Reaching young people.

Social Platforms

41.7 million Europeans are regular users of social networking sites

• On average, European users spend 3 hours a month on social networking sites, according to comscore.com.

• 107.4 million regular users of social networking sites by the end of 2012 in Europe.

• 250,000 people sign up to social networks every day worldwide

Advantages of Social Media:

• Democratization• Relationships and conversation• Creativity• Embracing passion and identity• Sharing and networking• Increasing transparency and accountability.

Social network Based in Since Users

California 2004 400 mil70% outside U.S.100 mil using through mobile

Los Angeles 2004 113 mil 70 mil from U.S.

California 2003 65 mil in 200 countries ½ outside U.S.

EYJA Alumni & New Media

The European Parliament & New Media

The use of social media platforms by

the European Parliament in the 2009

election campaign increased the

number of active users, especially

among young people.

2009

Facebook Page 52,000 fans

Myspace100,000 visits

Youtube440,000 views of election-related videos

Election website1-8 June 1,955,627 visitors

2010

June 2009 – 52,000 fans May 2010 – 67,921

Chat with MEPs on the EP Facebook page

What about Turkey?

Median age: 28.8 years (male: 28,2 years; female: 29,3 years). More

than half of the population is under the median age (January 2010).

One side of the medal

According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

(OSCE), Turkey banned access to about 3,700 Internet sites mostly for

"arbitrary and political reasons.” (YouTube, Google sites, GeoCities,

MySpace…)

…BUT there is another side too…

Which side is Turkey on?

New Media & "do-it-yourself journalism"

Participatory journalism: The act of a citizen, or group of citizens,

playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing

and disseminating news and information. The intent of this participation

is to provide independent, reliable, accurate, wide-ranging and relevant

information that a democracy requires.

New Media and the EU Enlargement

- New media: risks and advantages?- New media and (citizen) journalism?- Social networking: participation or illusion?- Can blogs and social media redefine the European public?- European public channel?- How much did social platforms enable young, less EU-interested

people to follow European issues? - Media freedom in Turkey: How are new media tools used to

follow European trends?- ?- ?

- Do you have profiles on social networks?

- Do you follow media profiles/fan pages?

- Do you follow any EU-related profiles/fan pages?

- What could be done by media to increase awareness and interest on EU?

VoxPop

Marilys, France (Iceland), 22I strongly believe that the media have a big role to play in the interest of the citizens in the EU in general (not only the enlargement). Instead of focusing on the weak points of the EU meetings, they should focus on what the EU does for its citizens, and make them aware of the rights and obligations they have, for example, their right to vote, the freedom of movement...

VoxPop

Female Student, France, 20

Maybe the Turkish media could make a program about the EU, its institutions, politics, core debates in link with Turkey... they also could broadcast the European day, live from different European cities...

VoxPop

Laila, Latvia, 25

In a magazine for young people there could be a series of photo shoots involving young people, telling a story about friends from different countries who can meet more easily when there are fewer borders between countries. The photo series could also tell a story about a different aspect of EU enlargement.

VoxPop

Enrica, Italy, 25I don't know what the media could do to promote the enlargement of the EU. Our media barely talk about the EU. I'm referring to the TV, the most followed media in my country.

Alberto, Italy, 32 In my region only 60% of the population has fast internet connection... It is impossible for many people to access these interactive tools; and I live in the “rich northern Italy”!

VoxPop

Gülsün, Turkey, 28

I was watching EuroParlTV and I heard a member saying that the problem of enlarging the Union to Turkey is the Muslim majority, while Europe is based on Christian values. I found it a strange reason because if the EU promotes itself as “United in diversity”, it seems that some diversities are not accepted though…

VoxPop

Pierre, Belgium, 25I was just curious and looked at the Facebook page “EU careers” but didn't really take part in the discussions.

Roxana, Romania, 23I feel better informed when certain EU news appear on my Wall. I feel closer to what is happening at the Union level.

VoxPop

Roxana, Romania, 23The Union can only encourage even further freedom of

speech by organising different competitions.

Young people promoting projects

VoxPop

EU 2009 Elections project: Interviews between trainees and Commissioners

THANK YOU!

References:1. http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/social_networking/index_en.htm

2. http://www.google.com/dictionary?aq=f&langpair=en|en&hl=en&q=new%20media

3. http://www.rossiterandco.com/new-media-02-benefits.htm

4. http://swathidharshananaidu.posterous.com/7736273

5. www.facebook.com

6. www.linedin.com

7. www.myspace.com

8. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/draftReports/comparlDossier.do?dossier=CULT%2f7%2f02062&language=EN

9. www.alexa.com

10. http://www.osce.org/fom/item_1_42372.html

11. http://www.masternewmedia.org/citizen-journalism-the-key-trend-shaping-online-news-media/

12. http://www.allaboutturkey.com/info.htm