Media policy network in Portugal: a case study approach

Abstract

In the media policy arena, there are multiple (often conflicting) perspectives and political outcome reflects different pressures and opinions. Contending groups develop strategies and bargain to see their interests served. Notwithstanding the diversity and complexity of the policy-making literature, we will try to assess the utility of the policy network concept in an attempt to shed some light into the conception/implementation of media policy in Portugal. Whist analysing the eventual relevance of the policy network approach, we will consider two distinct political periods: the social democrats majority rule, from 1987 to 1995, and the socialist mandates, from 1995 to 2002.