Media Independence: Variables Affecting Freedom of the Press: Cross-Country Regression Analysis with Implications on Russian Media
Simonyan, Armine
2007
- Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Abstract: Freedom of speech and of the press is one of the fundamental human rights protected by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, as well as by the constitutions and laws of many countries. However, the degree to which the states exercise the full freedom ... read moreof the press varies across countries. The governments of many countries restrict full media independence by imposing censorship, financially supporting and providing policy guidance to media outlets, as well as limiting journalists rights. This paper analyzes different levels of the state and media relationship, such as manufactured consent, market for loyalties and the CNN effect on different examples, including the media and state relationships in Russia. The media and society interrelation model is developed to show different media and society relations on examples of democratic, religious and economic societies. Variables that influence the level of media independence in a given country that are considered in this analysis are economic freedom, freedom of religion, the level of income distribution in the country, density of population and others. The quantitative analysis proves that there is a strong relationship between these variables and the freedom of the press. The implication of the results of this analysis is that full media independence in a given country can be provided only if democratic institutions are enforced and protected, the full religious freedom is exercised and the economic policies toward higher economic freedom are implemented. Similarly, if a new-formed Russian society tends towards a greater societal openness through exercising the full freedom of the press, it should take into account the importance of providing and protecting political rights and civil liberties, as well as religious and economic freedoms. Achieving this goal would mean that the freedom of the press stated in the Constitution of Russian Federation is not a fabrication, but a reality to be exercised for the well-being and prosperity of the nation.read less
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- 1j92gk75b
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- tufts:UA015.012.073.00016
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