Conversations at the Euromeduc media literacy conference in Bellaria, Italy, confirmed for me that the story of media change is similar throughout Europe - on the one hand decline of some traditional big players, particularly newspapers, and on the other the increase in media created by individuals small groups.
I talked to two people who have a good overview of what's happening. Peter de Groot teaches media economics, while Simon Stromberg works in the field for the Cultural Administration in Stockholm. Both are also involved in the Media Coaches network that trains teachers, librarians, health workers and others to help children, parents and others use the web.
I was particularly interested in the implications for journalists seeing their jobs disappear, and for activists in local communities creating their own blogs and online communities.
The message from Peter was clear: journalists entering the profession - or aiming to stay in it - have to work across media and be capable of working in print, radio, video, online and with mobile devices.
Simon says the see the rise of the communications social entrepreneur: young people working on their own or in small companies who may take on a mix of roles sometimes journalist, sometimes doing other work. While they may be operating in the same space as the community-based activists, they are looking to earn a living rather than campaign on a particular topic. However they are all using social media that will, in different ways, bring social change.
