Database

Mapping Global Media Policy allows to gather, categorize and classify information on actors, processes, outcomes and resources of global media policy through a resource database. On the basis of the project’s understanding of global media policy, this database is structured according to four classification categories: people, organizational actors, policy documents and resources.

People are individuals who are directly involved in or have an active interest in thematic areas and topics that are relevant to global media policy, such as researchers, advocates, or policy makers.

Organizational Actors are institutions, associations, corporations or networks that can be governmental, non-governmental or multi-stakeholder and that represent different interests.

Policy Documents are inputs or outcomes of formal institutional processes at different levels (local, national, regional, international), such as briefs, reports, policy statements, legislative and regulatory texts, conventions etc.

Resources are complementary sources of knowledge, including academic publications, policy-related documents that have been elaborated outside of formal processes, research projects, repositories, web-portals, course and training materials, and conference proceedings.

Entries in these categories are classified according to a detailed set of criteria which include, amongst many others, thematic areas (including all fields of media and communication policy), levels of policy-making and policy debate (from local to global), relation to particular policy processes and debates, detailed typologies of each category, geographic location, etc. The multitude of criteria and dimensions in each category allows the development of deep and detailed profiles, while cross-cutting dimensions and multiple member- and authorships relate the different categories to each other. The database thus moves beyond the mere gathering and listing of data to uncover webs of relations and interactions, trace the origins of decisions and the influence of various forces, and show the consequences of strategies and actions.

Access to the content on this site is free and open. Through the menu on the right side of the front page, you can search all content, look for content in specific categories, or look for 'Sections' (specific thematic domains). Adding content is only possible if you have a user account.

Content generation happens in a decentralised and bottom-up way. There is no central content creator. All entries for the database are created by research groups and individuals that wish to contribute to this resource and that are spread around the globe.

Content creation focuses, initially, on a small number of clearly identifiable topics and policy processes - so-called 'Sections' - which are linked from the right column of this website and which will be expanded consecutively. If you are interested in developing content in a specific policy field and thus in creating your own 'Section', please get in touch.