Media regimes and political communication: democracy and interactive media in France

The introduction of Minitel and other interactive media systems have affected prevalent systems of political communication and initiated a new democratic media regime in France. Media institutions allow the political parties to set the political agenda and address massive audiences through the traditional broadcasting regime. In contrast, interactive media regime provides space for interactivity and allows the receivers access to senders. Minitel has the potential for creating a public forum for the aggregation, articulation, and organization of diverse views and interests.