ACTA as Media Gatekeeping Factor

Abstract

This paper explores the influence of regulatory instruments in media content gatekeeping model and especially, the impact of ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) in online media industries. The author argues that both developments in the regulatory field worldwide as well as the emerging role of international agreements' negotiators on internet access and security issues are going to influence also the media gatekeeping model. The analysis shows that even an updated by the ICTs' evolutions media gatekeeping model should follow the developments on regulations' global debate related to online media and on their impact to the electronic and mobile (e/m) business models. The actions taken by EU institutions indicate the establishment of EU as a global negotiator in cultural industries as well as the global internet users' communities as an informal negotiator for online media issues.