About this Event
Join us for two interrelated lunch seminars led by Maciej Bernatt (University of Warsaw). This minicourse will investigate the relationship between competition (antitrust) law and democracy, with a focus on media markets. It relies on the experiences of EU countries that have experienced democratic backsliding to examine whether merger review by competition agencies can help preserve competitive media markets and media plurality. It also analyzes any added value the proposed EU regulation of media markets may have in this respect. The course contributes to the broader debate on how to (better) control the market power of firms that pose risks to democracies.
Thursday, April 24: 12-1 pm
Democratic backsliding and the risks for pluralistic and competitive media
In this session, we will discuss the general consequences of democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland for media markets. Then, we will use two merger cases to illustrate how the weakening of competition agencies by the ruling majority affects merger review on media markets and what further negative effects for democracy such a process entails.
Friday, April 25: 12-1 pm
Solutions
In this session, we will scrutinize solutions to the challenges identified during the first session. First, we will present ways to strengthen the competition law regime in media markets transactions. This will include discussions on competition agencies’ independence and democratic responsiveness, among others. Then we will examine the planned EU regulation of media markets, specifically the EU Media Freedom Act. Our focus will be on the proposed media plurality test and its limitations.
is a professor and director of the Centre for Antitrust and Regulatory Studies at the Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw (Poland). He holds a Habilitation, a PhD, and MAs in law and international relations. He held visiting fellow appointments at academic institutions in Australia, Germany, and the U.S. His research interests lie at the intersection of competition and constitutional law as well as administrative and EU law.
All seminars will take place in Harper Center
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED | FREE ADMISSION
Learn more and register: https://research.chicagobooth.edu/stigler/
Please be sure to read the notes below for important information regarding attendance at this event.
Pre-registration via this Eventbrite page is required.
Doors will open 30 minutes before the event begins. Please arrive early to claim your seat. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket order on Eventbrite so others may register.
Doors will close 5 minutes before the event. You may be unable to enter the venue after the doors are closed.
No banners or signs will be allowed.
No large bags will be permitted.
Disclaimer: Students should never miss class to attend optional programming. The Deans’ Office will not support requests for absences due to participation on a trek, event, conference, or trip as excused.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
5807 S Woodlawn Ave, 5807 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, United States
USD 0.00