Abstract
Current changes of the media systems in Europe are characterized with reference to four general trends: technological change, expansion of systems, privatization, and internationalization. A model of the dynamics of change is proposed which represents the interaction between these trends and modifying national conditions. Taking the Federal Republic of Germany as an example, the analytical usefulness of the model is demonstrated. The article identifies the general trends in the transition of the German media system during the eighties. It also gives a detailed analysis of the modifying national conditions, i.e. trend reinforcers and trend dampers, which gave the development its specific direction.
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