Call for radical redefinition of public service broadcasting

EUROPE: Francisco Pinto Balsemão, chairman of the European Publishers Council (EPC) and chairman and CEO of Impresa in Portugal, yesterday, Thursday, 18 September 2008, called for public service broadcasters (PSBs) to be redefined and radically changed in line with the realities of modern broadcasting and convergent communications in the context of the European Commission's current review of state aid rules for PSBs.

19 Sep 2008

Speaking at a major industry conference on the future of public service broadcasting hosted in Helsinki by the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation, Balsemao said, “PSBs have acted as though they were commercial players and have established strong, even dominant positions while using public money. PSBs are now major publishers online (and sometimes in print and on radio), competing head to head with commercial newspapers and magazines. Public and private broadcasters compete with both broadcast and non-broadcast content, as consumers choose to watch or download movies and TV output via the Internet and mobiles.

“For years we in the private sector have challenged the way the PSBs have distorted the market... but governments have not been prepared to bring them to heel.”

Refuse to pay

Balsemão warned that consumers might well refuse to pay the licence fee: “Consumers, not politicians, will be the driving force to end PSB public funding throughout Europe over the next 10 - 20 years... Why should viewers in any country be required by law to pay for what they may not watch?

Balsemão suggested that “future PSBs will be smaller and leaner, dedicated to high-quality programming funded mainly by sponsorship or subscription. If they wish to maintain any degree of public funding, they need the support of viewers. In order to do this they must be programme-led: hot houses of talent and creative energy - machines to make and commission programmes and to earn or raise money to make more.”

He insisted on a role for PSBs, but only under new parameters subject to independent regulation, and on the condition that they earn their own keep and raise standards within the boundaries of fair competition. An example would be to take elements from the US model where local TV (PBS) and radio (NPR) stations develop their own programme schedules within networks. Some programming is local and some nationally commissioned, with some core funding from government but with most funds coming from individuals, foundations, companies, subscriptions and sponsorship.

For more information, go to www.epceurope.org.