Public Service Media in Divided Societies: Relic or Renaissance?

"This briefing focuses on the media of countries that are divided, undergoing crisis or conflict, or where governance is weak. It argues that the role of public service media in such societies - sometimes called fragile states - is increasingly relevant and sometimes critical; to underpinning political and social development for the 21st century." from the Executive Summary

This policy briefing from BBC Media Action argues that "a free, open, plural media, in all its forms, is essential to democratic development in all societies." It particularly highlights the need for public service media, stating that they can:

• "provide trusted news and platforms for independent public debate for all....
• ...contribute to social cohesion and political stability where ...media...may be fragmented along factional, religious, ethnic or other lines....
• ...help people in divided societies to find common cause... to rebuild their often fractured nations."

"Part 1 provides a brief summary of the technological and other factors that constitute the waves of change sweeping the media in such countries…[including radio, mobile, internet enabled 'smartphones', and internet sites including social media - Twitter and video via YouTube.]

Part 2 examines how increasingly fragmented media systems are providing fresh energy and dynamism to politics, economics and society, but also how some parts of the media are becoming increasingly partisan, reinforcing societal divisions and polarising political opinion.

Part 3 provides a brief overview of a growing crisis of trust both in political institutions and in 21st-century media, and the consequences of that crisis for democratic governance in divided societies.

Part 4 examines the current role of state broadcasters in this context, and argues that they remain a significant contributor to this crisis of trust and will, unless they are reformed, struggle to achieve legitimacy in the 21st century.

Part 5 describes the goals and principles of public service broadcasting, arguing that the abiding values of trust, universality (reaching out to all parts of society), impartiality, editorial independence, and putting the public at the heart of everything they do, have growing relevance to the challenges faced by 21st-century divided or fragile states. [Table 1, page 12, describes characteristics of a public service broadcaster vs. a state broadcaster.]

Part 6 examines the prospects of transforming state broadcasters into public service media organisations capable of being relevant to increasingly young and technologically connected populations…. It looks at the successes and failures of the past and the lessons that can be drawn from them. It concludes that the prospects for such reform are daunting, that the main obstacles to such reform are political rather than technical but that the value of genuinely independent public service media in divided societies justifies a fresh concerted effort.

Part 7 explores whether there are media models that offer an alternative to reforming state broadcasters while fulfilling the public service broadcasting criteria…. It considers options ranging from highly dynamic commercial media models, networks of citizen journalists and other online platforms. It concludes that, while there is much promising innovation, it is not clear that compelling sustainable alternatives are yet emerging, especially given the intense political pressure confronting media in many of these societies.

Part 8 examines by way of conclusion how the traditional concept of public service broadcasting needs to be supplemented by a fresh concept of a public service media that embraces technological and other changes. It suggests that a refreshed vision of public service media, adapted for the modern media ecology but firmly rooted in the traditional principles of public service broadcasting, could have increased and urgent relevance for the realities of divided states."