But what do these headlines
mean in practice?
As an example: cultural and artistic
products (music, films, drama etc.)
represent a huge part of broadcasting
media content, thus states are supposed
to support media diversity (verification
3.1-3.4) and even ensure the public
has access to content diversity in
programming (verification 4.2) and
support the production of domestic
content (4.3).
Each of these parts is complex, but if we
look at ‘content diversity in programming’
(4.2) and take music as an example, then
we need to clarify what we mean by the
diversity of musical expressions. Are
we talking about genres (such as jazz,
RnB, blues, world, traditional versus ‘pop’
and ‘mainstream’)? Are we talking about
the presentation on primetime radio
(live) or streaming? Are we talking about
national incentives/quotas (4.3) and
how incentives support and strengthen
domestic content versus international
music? If so, what is ‘international
music’? and what does the gender and
age representation look like? We might
also consider live music versus recorded
music? All of these, plus a few more
questions, must be addressed in relation
to the current output of public radio and
the obligations of public media.
If you apply this to films or dramas
produced by or presented on public
TV, then you can easily ask the same
questions. Then we need to understand
how these are described in contracts,
directives, and regulations as well as in
terms of funding.
Civil society (in this case not least
artists’ associations/unions, collecting
societies, cultural industry operators etc.)
can provide very substantial input from the
perspective of creators and can analyze
how your country has developed a policy
that lives up to all of these fine intensions.
As can be seen in the monitoring
framework, each section addresses
several interrelated issues. So as an
example, your country may have a national
quota for films. But does the state actually
financially support the development of the
national film sector? And does the state
actively support a policy which supports
digital creativity and competencies? (5.3)
The UNESCO framework in that sense
addresses very concrete issues related
to cultural policies, but sustainability can
only be ensured if states incorporate
culture in their development plans and
recognize cultural expressions and
creative industries as strategic areas in
policies and plans.
Take the examples of Sweden9 and
the enormous success of Swedish
Music Industries, and Denmark10 and
the international success of Danish
films. These are the result of long-term
state and community support, as well as
strategies which incorporate educational
and training opportunities; legislation
respecting author’s rights; grants systems;
well-organised artists’ associations; the
financial support of and collaboration
with the industry; as well as support for
international cooperation. The following
UNESCO framework describes in
“headlines” how culture can be integrated
into sustainable development.
9
https://sweden.se/culture/arts-design/the-swedish-music-miracle
10
https://www.dfi.dk/en/english/news/oscar-facts-danish-perspective
14