Current challenges to and for public service media

Abstract

The paper addresses a range of contemporary challenges for PSM from the external environment and for the institution internally. The author defends the continuing relevance of the public service ideal, approach and practice in media, while acknowledging a range of legitimate criticisms and agreeing on the importance of the private commercial sector “ but also critiquing shortcomings in this sector. Thus, the lines of argumentation are both a defense and a critique of public service media. Aspects of particular importance include platform and channel proliferation, audience fragmentation, generational change, development in digital technology and infrastructure, the ideological premise of socio-political life, economic conditions, sustainability and accountability. The paper ends with three recommendations the author suggests as priorities for PSM development in Europe: 1) the need to articulate a clear, convincing and compelling vision for the enterprise in the 21st century, 2) the need to decide what PSM will do and be, and not do and be from its PSB heritage, and 3) invest capital and effort in developing more inclusive and collaborative organizations.