Media Experts Questionnaire

This survey was sent out by InterMedia to Media Experts for development and in preparation for the launch of the Young People's Media Network in Central and Eastern Europe. The full text follows.

Dear Colleague,

InterMedia would like to invite you to participate in a study of young people and the media in Central and Eastern Europe, the CIS and the Baltic States that we are carrying out on behalf of UNICEF. InterMedia's task is to analyse and report current trends in media use and attitudes among young people in the 27 countries that make up the region.

Much of our analysis will be based on InterMedia's database of media surveys, carried out across the region over the past decade. At the same time, however, we would like to supplement, illustrate and animate our existing data with the knowledge, insights and experiences of professionals such as yourselves across the region.

We are therefore sending you the attached questionnaire in the hope that you will take the opportunity to send us your responses. We understand that each question could prompt lengthy and detailed responses and that you are probably very busy. That is why we would be grateful for any of your insights, no matter how brief they might be. We are very interested in your understanding of how young people use and relate to various mass media in your area, even if it is expressed in a few sentences or paragraphs. Feel free to bypass items if you have no views or comments.

We have left a limited amount of space below each question. Please use extra space, if necessary, or to add additional comments that do not necessarily relate to any specific question.

While we are unable to offer compensation to the respondents, InterMedia will acknowledge all of those who participate in this study in the final analytical report. UNICEF will circulate the report as one of its documents presented at the regional Intergovernmental, Youth and NGO Consultations that will take place this spring in preparation for the UN Special Session on Children. UNICEF will also rely on the information in the paper to assist in its establishment of a Young People's Media Network (YPMN)in the region.

We would very much like you to return the questionnaire to us by the end of February or the first week in March. Please e-mail your responses to Susan Gigli of InterMedia at giglis@intermedia.org. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Gigli either by e-mail or by phone (+1 202 452 9276).

Lastly, if you do not have the time to take part in this study, but know of others who might be interested and qualified, please pass on the questionnaire. We would be most grateful..

Thank you for your time and for sharing your expertise.

Young People and the Media in the CEE/CIS and Baltics Region

Respondent Name: ______________________

Respondent Title: _________________________

Respondent Organization:_____________________

Respondent Country or Areas of Expertise: _________________________________________

Respondent telephone number:___________________________________

Respondent e-mail:____________________________________

As you answer the questions below, please keep in mind that by young people we mean those aged 10-24, with an emphasis on those 15-24. In addition, in your responses, please distinguish between domestic and foreign media whenever appropriate.

You should also be aware that UNICEF is approaching this study from a child's rights perspective as defined by the United Nation's Convention on Rights of the Child. Specifically, this Convention sets out what governments and individuals should do to promote and protect the human rights of all children. Unanimously adopted by the General Assembly on 20 November 1989, it has since been ratified by all the world's governments, except for two. Ratification means that governments commit themselves to ensuring that children can grow up in safe and supportive conditions, with access to high quality education and health care, and a good standard of living. It means governments agree to protect children from discrimination, sexual and commercial exploitation and violence, and to take particular care of orphans and young refugees. It is also an acknowledgement that children have the right:

• to express opinions, especially about decisions that affect them;
• to freedom of thought, expression, conscience and religion;
• to a private life and the right to play;
• to form their own clubs and organizations;
• to have access to information, particularly from the state and the media;
• to make ideas and information known themselves.

Media professionals are well placed to scrutinise the efforts of all concerned and to challenge those who fail to comply with the Convention.

Young People's Media Consumption Habits Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall

(We are looking for an overview.)

What would you say have been the major changes or trends in young people's media consumption habits since the fall of the Berlin Wall? For each of the trends you identify, please explain why you think they have occurred.

In what ways are young people's present media consumption habits different from young people's habits during the communist period? Once again, please identify major differences and explain how these habits are different and why.

To what extent have trends in young people's media use in your area been similar to and/or different from trends in Western Europe? Again, please identify and provide explanations for major similarities and/or differences.

I. Young People's Attitudes toward the Mass Media

How would you characterise the most prevalent attitudes toward mass media among young people today? (Please distinguish between domestic and foreign media.)

Would you say that young people generally find some media more credible and trustworthy than others? If so, which do they find most/least credible and trustworthy and why?

Do you think that young people generally feel that they have greater access to high quality and diverse sources of information today than they had 5 to 10 years ago? Why or why not?

II. Young People's Sources of Information

What type of information are young people generally interested in?

Which are young people's preferred sources of information?

Which specific entertainment media do young people generally follow and why?

To what degree do you think the entertainment media is defining young people's sense of identity, style, values and attitudes?

Are there different youth sub-cultures (i.e., skinheads, heavy metal fans, "greens") that follow different media? Please elaborate.

What do you see as the positive influences of mass media on youth? What do you see as the negative influences? (Please distinguish between domestic and foreign media.)

Do you think young people today are more or less interested in political events than the youth of 10 years ago? Please explain.

III. Portrayal of Young People in the Mass Media

How would you say young people are stereotyped in the mass media? (For example, are they shown only as victims and problems?)

Are there any positive images of young people in the mass media? If so, what are they?

Are there any positive role models for young people shown regularly in the mass media? If so, which?

Which issues, if any, does the mass media communicate effectively to young people?

IV. Media Aimed at Young People

Are there any programmes or publications that are targeted specifically at young people? If so, what are they and of what quality are they in your judgment? (Please comment on their strengths and weaknesses)

What characterises youth programmes in your country/region? (for example, what subjects/issues do they cover, what type of people do they feature, what is their style and tone)

Are programmes for youth readily available on TV and/or radio? When do they usually air and how much airtime do they usually have?

V. Media Projects Involving Young People

Are you aware of any media projects that involve young people as writers, reporters, actors, producers, etc.? If so, what are they and how successful have they been in your view?

For each media project involving young people that you are aware of, could you please provide the name, contact information and a brief description of the project. UNICEF will use this information to start compiling a database of such projects.

How helpful do you think such projects have been both for the young people themselves and for the country/general good?

VI. Information "Haves" and "Have-nots"

Would you say that there are information "haves" and "have-nots" among young people in your country/region today? If so, who are the "haves" and who are the "have-nots"?

What are the reasons for this informational divide? (For example, are there some young people who cannot afford access to certain types of information or who are simply too busy with daily survival to have the time to access information? Are there some groups — such as minorities, who are excluded from today's mass media?)

VII. Young People and the Internet

Regarding users of the Internet among young people:

Who is generally attracted to the Internet?

Who has access?

What do they generally use it for?

Where do they usually access it? (school, friends' homes, work, libraries, cafes, etc.)

Who are the "Internet entrepreneurs" who are creating web pages, companies, etc.?

Is the Internet contributing to a certain youth culture?

Is the Internet a source of employment for young people, or will it soon be?

Do media start-ups have any chance of finding a profitable niche?

Regarding Internet non-users:

Who are the non-users?

Are these young people non-users by choice or do they face obstacles in accessing and/or using the Internet? Which obstacles do they face?

How likely is it that these non-users will become users?

VIII. State of Journalism and Communications Training

In your country or region, how does a young person prepare for a career in media/journalism today?

How does this compare to journalism training under communism and what are the main reasons for the differences?

What is the quality of journalism training today?

Do young people find a career in media/journalism attractive? Why or why not?

What types of young people does media/journalism work attract?

IX. Importance of Young People to Development of Democratic, Independent Media

What would you say are young people's expectations of the media today in terms of balance of information, accuracy, objectivity, role in society?

As the first generation to reach adulthood since the fall of the Berlin Wall, do you think that young people today will push for the strengthening of democratic, independent media in their countries? Why or why not?

What needs to be done—perhaps in terms of policies or programmes—that would help to empower young people in your country/region through various forms of media? (Look for issues of access, training, exchange programmes, career opportunities, support for young people's media groups, etc.)

Do you think that media savvy young people in your country/area would be interested in communicating through various media channels with other such young people in their own country, in neighbouring countries or in their region, and/or in Western countries? Please explain.

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