Traditional broadcasters still cherished

In the fast-paced era of high-speed broadband connections, television-on-demand and podcasts, well-intentioned public service broadcasting might be seen as a lumbering anachronism.

Yet high quality broadcasting that does not pander to political or commercial pressure is still in demand. In the EU, 350 million viewers watch or listen each week to programmes produced by public broadcasters. "We stand for quality content and diversity," says Avril Mahon-Roberts, of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), a lobby representing the interests of public broadcasters.

"This is an asset that has been built up with public money and a lot of experience and expertise and we should continue to use it for the benefit of the public," says Mahon-Roberts. "We also feel we have a place in driving the uptake of new technology. There’s always a place for quality content."

The main principles of public service broadcasting are, in common with other services of general interest, universality of access and service. Providers have different funding structures and traditions, but generally there is a commitment to impartiality.

Public broadcasting has already been accorded special importance in a protocol to the 1997 Amsterdam treaty, which calls for the principle of subsidiarity to be respected in matters pertaining to public service broadcasting.

Jacques Briquemont, head of public affairs at EBU, believes that existing provisions are sufficient to safeguard the sector. "We think it’s a good basis," he says. "Concerning some proposals to have a framework law on public services, to be honest, we are still thinking of it. We do agree it could be useful, but don’t know if we should be part of it."

In the fast-paced era of high-speed broadband connections, television-on-demand and podcasts, well-intentioned public service broadcasting might be seen as a lumbering anachronism.