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public broadcasting: background
I understanding
I programming
I reconciling
I conclusion |
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WHY PUBLIC
BROADCASTING?
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Neither commercial nor State-controlled, public broadcasting's only
raison d'être is public service. It is the public's broadcasting
organization; it speaks to everyone as a citizen. Public broadcasters
encourage access to and participation in public life. They develop
knowledge, broaden horizons and enable people to better understand
themselves by better understanding the world and others.
Public broadcasting is defined as a meeting place where all citizens
are welcome and considered equals. It is an information and education
tool, accessible to all and meant for all, whatever their social
or economic status. Its mandate is not restricted to information
and cultural development-public broadcasting must also appeal
to the imagination, and entertain. But it does so with a concern
for quality that distinguishes it from commercial broadcasting.
Because it is not subject to the dictates of profitability, public
broadcasting must be daring and innovative, and take risks. And
when it succeeds in developing outstanding genres or ideas, it
can impose its high standards and set the tone for other broadcasters.
For some, such as British author Anthony Smith, writing about
the British Broadcasting Corporation-seen by many as the cradle
of public broadcasting-it is so important that it has "probably
been the greatest of the instruments of social democracy of the
century".
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This paper attempts to explain the distinctive features of public
broadcasting. It describes it by defining its underlying principles.
From these principles flow specific missions, a particular mode
of financing, distinct programming, and a specific relation with
the "public." The purpose of this paper, inspired by the
abundant literature on the subject, is to present, concisely and
in the space of a few pages, both the raison d'être of public
broadcasting and its organizational model.
A historical review first enables us to place the public model
by comparing it with the State and commercial models. This step
is important to understand the reasons prevailing at the inception
of public broadcasting. These reasons help us grasp the particular
role still assigned to public broadcasters, despite the many changes
that have marked the evolution of broadcasting. The second part
of the paper is devoted to the principles underlying public broadcasting
and its mandate and financing. The subsequent sections deal with
the programming, organization, accountability and evaluation of
public broadcasting. In conclusion, we ponder the future of public
broadcasting in the era of digitalization and audience fragmentation.
Canadian Mark Starowicz considers the role of public broadcasting
and its contribution to democratic life more important than ever.
"Public broadcasting institutions," he says, "are
even more critical today as we see the disappearance of public
space, and the atomization of audiences into special interest
constituencies."
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