Resynchronizing classes of word relations

A natural approach to defining binary word relations over a finite alphabet A is through two-tape finite state automata, which can be seen as regular language L over {1,2} x A, where (i,a) is interpreted as reading letter a from tape i. Thus, a word w of the language L denotes the pair (u_1,u_2) in A* x A* in which u_i is the projection of w onto i-labelled letters. While this formalism defines the well-studied class of Rational relations (a.k.a. non-deterministic finite state transducers), enforcing restrictions on the reading regime from the tapes, that we call synchronization, yields various sub-classes of relations. Such synchronization restrictions are imposed through regular properties on the projection of the language onto {1,2}. In this way, for each regular language C contained in {1,2}*, one obtains a class Rel(C) of relations, such as the classes of Regular, Recognizable, or length-preserving relations, as well as (infinitely) many other classes. We study the problem of containment for synchronized classes of relations: given C,D subsets of {1,2}*, is Rel(C) contained in Rel(D)? We show a characterization in terms of C and D which gives a decidability procedure to test for class inclusion. This also yields a procedure to re-synchronize languages from {1,2} x A preserving the denoted relation whenever the inclusion holds

Relevant was Werte und Normen betrifft: Public Value von TV-Unterhaltung in Klein- und Großstaaten

Der Begriff Public Value soll den Auftrag des öffentlichen Fernsehens umschreiben und seine Finanzierung legitimieren. Eine begriffliche Unschärfe führt jedoch zu Problemen der Messbarkeit und unterschiedlichen Instrumentalisierungen. Der vorliegende Beitrag greift die aktuelle Diskussion auf und fokussiert nach einer kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit dem Begriff auf den Public Value von Unterhaltungssendungen. In einer explorativen Studie basierend auf 25 Interviews im deutschsprachigen Raum wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwiefern sich die Orientierung an einem Public Value im Handeln von Redakteuren zwischen öffentlichen und kommerziellen Sendern unterscheidet. Zwar zeigt sich bei Redakteuren von Public Service Sendern ein größeres Verantwor-tungsbewusstsein, aus einer Industrieperspektive wird die Public Value Orientierung jedoch von kleinstaatlichen Strukturmerkmalen überlagert

Public Service Broadcasting-Friends Groups as a Microcosm of Public Interest Media Advocacy

This article is concerned with the interdependencies between public service broadcasters and the third sector, an area in which there is little research that has provided in-depth analysis of case studies. It investigates and compares three public service broadcasting (PSB)-Friends groups in the UK, Australia, and South Africa. By means of analyzing semi-structured interviews and archival data, we address development, institutionalization and policy impact of the Voice of the Listener & Viewer, ABC-Friends, and SOS Coalition. Drawing on resource-mobilization theory we argue that, in particular, material, human, and informational resources, contextualized with political opportunities, have analytic value in explaining similarities and differences between the groups, which are conceived as a microcosm of public interest media advocacy

Finanzregulierer in der Krise

Unabhängige Regulierungsbehörden sind in den letzten Jahrzehnten zu einem wichtigen Faktor in der Politik geworden. Seit der Finanzkrise sind Regulierer wie die Schweizer Finma auch der breiteren Öffentlichkeit bekannt. Sie verfügen über zahlreiche Kompetenzen und hohe Autonomie. Mit ihrer Unabhängigkeit von der Politik wurde mehr Glaubwürdigkeit und höhere Effizienz in der Regulierung von Märkten verbunden. Dagegen ist ihre Verantwortung gegenüber demokratischen Institutionen schwächer ausgeprägt. Am Beispiel der Finma und der britischen FSA wird erörtert, ob von einem ernsthaften Defizit an Accountability, also der Verantwortlichkeit und Rechenschaftspflicht, solcher Kontrollorgane ausgegangen werden muss

Media Governance – New ways to analyze new ways to regulate

Governance enjoys great popularity among researchers and practitioners alike. Its quality as a catch-all-word however comes at the cost of clarity. This introductory presentation conceptualizes media governance as both a change in government and a scientific perspective. On the one hand, media governance describes changing polities, politics and policies: Governance stands for new ways to regulate the media. On the other hand, media governance is a scientific perspective: Governance stands for new ways of viewing media policy and regulation. Here it is useful to distinguish between empirical and normative concepts. Very often, however, normative assumptions remain unexpressed. For instance the governance perspective is usually based on the functionalist assumption that governance is in the public interest. Nevertheless, media governance offers scholars some advantages. Governance can not only act as a bridge between disciplines but it is a new way to analyze new ways of media regulation as well