Self- and Co-regulation in the mediamatics sector: European community (EC) strategies and contributions towards a transformed statehood

As the global communication network matures, the systems and procedures for regulating the growing network and its use are being challenged. The general proliferation of services or the specific demand for electronic transactions require guidance and control which the market alone cannot supply. Meanwhile, traditional regulatory regimes remain far from global or coherent. This article distinguishes between coordination and regulation to clarify areas where government intervention is unnecessary and where indispensable. It explores the current patchwork of regulatory approaches, reviews different regulatory areas and strategies, identifies trends, and highlights problem areas particular to electronic commerce and third party protection. She studied communication science at the Universities of Salzburg and Vienna, and romance philology at the University of Salzburg and at the Università degli Studi di Perugia (Italy). Her research interests include media economics, as well as legal and policy matters for the media environment. His research focuses on the European information society, the digital economy, e-commerce and the role of the state in the communications sector. He received an MSc. in business informatics, a Ph.D. in political science, and is Univ.-Doz. (associate professor) for economics and politics of communication at the University of Vienna.