subnational media systems in new democracies pilas conference 2014 the university of sheffield june,...
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Subnational Media Systems in New Democracies
PILAS Conference 2014
The University of Sheffield
June, 13
José Antonio Brambila@jabrambila
Comparative Media Studies
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Figure 1. Terminology for basic comparison.
Source. Esser and Hanitzsch, 2012.
New Challenges
“It is a study that compares two or more nations with respect to some common activity” (Edelstein, 1982, in Esser, 2013).
… Not any more…
…How international (i.e. globalization) and domestic (i.e. democratization) process impact the national-state perspective in comparative media studies?
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
National-state fixation
Above the national state
Below the national state
Analyses of: Social or political sub-cultures
Sub systems Partial segments of society
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Mexican Case
Figure 2. Quality of democracy in the states of Mexico.
Source. IDD-Mexico, 2013.
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Research Question
How the subnational comparative approach can expand and strengthen the methodological repertoire available for comparative media studies?
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Hypothesis
Based in the political science literature (Snyder, 2001), the subnational comparative method in media studies…
1) Increase controlled comparisons.
2) Stretch the possibility to study cases with high level of internal variation.
3) Better analyse the irregular nature of major processes (i.e. the media in democratization process).
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Subnational Logic of Comparisson
Subnational jurisdiction´s relationship with national government is not analogous to a countries relationship with the international system (Gibson, 2013).
Following Esser and Hanitzsch (2003), the units of comparison need to be clearly delineated.
In the case of federations, the states are entitled to regulate their own media (regulatory framework), and public service broadcasting (PSBs) operate at the subnational level (Puppis and d´Haenens, 2013).
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Controlled Comparisons
Comparative analysis is all about “controll” (Sartori, 1994)
A focus on subnational units can greatly strengthen the ability of comparativists to establish control over potential explanatory variables. And, make easier to develop standard measure in one country.
This kind of research allows “control” of many relevant variables that are important in a national context, such as economic crisis, type of government, international influence.
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Controlled Comparisons
Types of comparisons (Snyder, 2001):
-Within national comparison: 32 states.
-Between national comparison: Press freedom and journalistic practice in México and EUA (i.e. González de Bustamante and Relly, 2014).
-Longitudinal studies: Press freedom in subnational authoritarisms in México (XXI Century) and Solid South of EUA (XIX Century)
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Inappropriate Uses of National Averages
“In most countries the media do not constitute any single system” (Mc Quail, 1994).
Better avoid “one state bias” (Rockan), or “Invalid part to whole mapping” (Gibson, 2013).
For example, Freedom House classified México as free country from 2000 to 2010, nevertheless, experts on Mexico produced ample documentation of the continuity and even resurgence of authoritarianism in various Mexican states (Cornelius, Eisenstadt and Hindley, 1999).
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Inappropriate Uses of National Averages
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Figure 2. Attacks againts journalists in México
Source. Article 19, 2013.
Theory Building
A final advantage of the subnational comparative method concerns how it can help us to build theories that explain the dynamic interconnections among the levels and regions of a political system. (Snyder, 2001).
How the subnational parts of the political and media system interact? (Snyder, 2001).
Even more, assuming that a change of regime from authoritarianism to democracy has taken place at the national level since 2000, under what conditions do non-democratic media systems (similar to prior authoritarian media system) persist at the subnational level?
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Theory Building
The University of Sheffield José Antonio Brambila
Figure 3. Responsable of attacks against journalists per level of government.
Source. Article 19, 2013.
Subnational Media Systems in New Democracies
PILAS Conference 2014
The University of Sheffield
June, 13
José Antonio Brambila@jabrambila