Global Task Force

The Global Task Force exists to defend the values and the interests of Public Media.

The Global Task Force (GTF) was formed to develop a consensus and single, strong voice around the issues and challenges facing public media worldwide. An industry led initiative, the GTF offers a perspective that spans countries, languages and cultures.


The Global Task Force is a group of seven leaders of major public service media from around the world.

Established in 2020 and chaired by Catherine Tait, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, the GTF provides “an important opportunity to strengthen the great work each of us does for citizens in our countries. I look forward to working with other like-minded public media around the world.”


South Korean public broadcaster’s viability in question in the face of funding threat: Global Task Force for public media

The GTF is concerned over a proposal to fundamentally alter the funding mechanism for the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

GTF objects to Twitter’s public media labels

The Global Task Force objects to ABC, CBC/Radio-Canada, KBS and RNZ being designated by Twitter as “Government-funded Media”.

Global Task Force for public media congratulates South Korea’s KBS on its 50th anniversary

KBS has been shaped by a complex history that includes the Korean War, democratization, and rapid economic development.

Targeting of SVT director general underscores severity of threats against media professionals

Global Task Force member was on the hit list of Swede now convicted of murder.

Threats to public broadcasters and media professionals are weakening democracy

Public funding, operational & editorial independence, and media freedom and safety the focus of first in-person meeting of GTF leaders.

Global Task Force statement on the attack of broadcasting facilities in Kyiv

The Global Task Force (GTF) for public media condemns the Russian attack at a TV tower and broadcasting facilities in Kyiv, which is seemingly an effort to deprive Ukrainian citizens of accurate information in the midst of a war.


Purpose and Objectives

The Global Task Force exists to defend the values and the interests of Public Media. 

Those values: access, accuracy, accountability, creativity, impartiality, independence and high standards of journalism. All these underpin an informed and healthy democracy. Many of these are under assault by various forces, both private and public. 

Public service media historically evolved and operated principally at the national level. Now operating in an increasingly globalised media space, public service media must develop a coordinated global response mechanism in order to defend and promote core values. 

Composition

The GTF is a deliberately small group of seven Public Service Media leaders spanning continents and leading organisations that have long histories of serving their national audiences and working together as part of the global public media family. These respected leaders occupy a role that places them at a focal point between their organizations, the citizens they serve, and governments. This makes them uniquely placed to discuss, reflect and respond to issues concerning public service media, from press freedom to the disruption of entertainment programming caused by private transnational streaming companies. 

Operations and Scope of Activities

The size of this group allows for tight connections so that these leaders can respond quickly with a united stand when Public Service Media comes under pressure. The GTF is global, multilingual and has minimal bureaucracy and infrastructure. It’s leaders working together and acting fast, when needed. 

The GTF is alerted to issues and situations by the Public Media Alliance (PMA), European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and other trusted partners. Responses are decided by the GTF on a case-by-case basis. 

The Public Media Alliance is the Secretariat of the GTF.


COVID-19

During times of crisis and emergency, people turn to public media for information that they can trust. Around the world, public media are engaging with their audiences to ensure that they are kept informed, educated and entertained during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some examples of the work done by public media during the pandemic:

Coronacast

Australian audiences have turned to the ABC as their trusted news source. In March, its unique digital audience rose 53% to 15.2 million (61% of 2+ population). Dedicated content for the crisis includes the launch of a daily podcast, Coronacast, which answers listener questions about coronavirus or COVID-19 and breaks down the latest news and research.

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ABC Education

The ABC has launched a $5 million Fresh Start Fund to support the sustainability of Australia’s production sector. The fund will supercharge the development of content across genres including drama, comedy, children’s, music and the arts. The ABC has also expanded its education schedule to broadcast additional curriculum-linked content to children of all ages between 10am and 3pm each weekday on ABC ME and additional online support through the ABC Education portal.

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Bitesize Daily

The BBC opened the doors to its biggest ever education offer, Bitesize Daily, on Monday 20 April, and the teaching roll call looks mightily impressive with familiar names including Sir David Attenborough helping youngsters to learn about the oceans. The roster offers 14 weeks of curriculum-based learning for kids throughout the UK. All elements of Bitesize Daily have been developed with teaching professionals and partners, and are delivered across the BBC’s broadcast and online services.

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The Big Night In

The Big Night In will celebrate the acts of kindness, humour and the spirit of hope and resilience that is keeping the nation going during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic with a special night of programming for BBC One.  This is the first time the BBC’s biggest charitable partners, BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief, have come together. The live show features some of the country’s favourite famous faces for light relief and entertainment, while celebrating and rewarding those going the extra mile to support their communities at this time.

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Supporting the creative industry

In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, CBC/Radio-Canada has launched several initiatives to support the Canadian creative industry including the Digital Originals funding initiative, in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts, and the CBC Creative Relief Fund to provide immediate, urgent support to Canadian creators. Digital Originals will provide CA$1 million in funding to successful applicants to develop, create and share original or adapted works with Canadian audiences online, while the CBC Creative Relief Fund will provide CA$2 million in development and production funding for a diverse range of innovative, original Canadian storytelling.

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CBC Kids & Radio-Canada MAJ

CBC Kids News and Radio-Canada MAJ (Mon actualité jeunesse) invited young Canadians aged 6–13 to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, questions about the COVID-19 pandemic. This special programming was produced in both English and French and broadcast simultaneously across CBC and Radio-Canada platforms.

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Lumni

France Télévisions mobilized all of its channels, including France 4 dedicated to youth, to ensure that children from primary to high school can continue with their schooling thanks to Lumni, its new educational platform.

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#OnVousRéspond

To answer questions about the coronavirus, franceinfo launched a new initiative: #OnVousRépond. With overwhelming available information on the pandemic, franceinfo continues to engage with its digital users, viewers and listeners, and provides answers to their questions about the virus and its impact on their daily lives. Every day, from 6 a.m. to midnight, franceinfo’s digital team responds to questions they receive. When needed, they also call upon doctors, experts, public authorities or other specialists to provide clear and verified answers. #OnVousRépond also provides content to franceinfo’s radio and television channels, its newscasts at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on France 2 and its newsletter sent several times a week.

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Coronavirus Podcast

RNZ’s daily Corona Virus podcast on the Covid-19 Coronavirus is hosted by RNZ National presenter, Indira Stewart providing the latest news on the COVID-19 Coronavirus and its impact on New Zealanders. The programme shares stories from everyday Kiwis affected by the virus and uses RNZ’s own VoxPop App technology which allows direct engagement with subscribers through real time questions and answers.  After launching it went straight to #1 on the Apple Podcast charts and has stayed at #6 or higher in the weeks since. And, Apple, Spotify and others are promoting it as a trusted source of information in their Covid-19 listings.

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#StandAtDawn Partnership

#StandAtDawn is a partnership between RSA and the New Zealand Defence Force for Anzac Day. Anzac Day is one of New Zealand’s most important national events. This year, for the first time, services across New Zealand have been cancelled but New Zealanders can still pay their respects at dawn from their own homes. RNZ is partnering with the RSA and New Zealand Defence Force to broadcast a special Dawn Service encouraging everyone to stand together in their “bubbles” and take a moment to remember.

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Data Visualisations

Through data journalism, SVT has visualised aspects of Covid-19 in an interactive and comprehensible way, which has been highly appreciated by the users. Topics include the spread of the disease in Sweden and in the world, the economic effects and how social distancing works. SVT offers commercial media to use the data visualisations and broadcasts from press conferences for free.

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An evening together

SVT invited the whole population to an evening together with the Swedish musical elite. The program, sent live from different locations and with segments from all over the country, gave an opportunity to pay tribute to some of the people helping society cope with this challenge, raise money for people who have been hit hardest and provide support and entertainment for all.

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Adaptation

ZDF is adapting its programming continuously. An overview on the changes and special broadcasts including various extra information and interactive offers on the Corona pandemic can be accessed at the ZDF web portal.

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Children’s content

A prominent example in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic is a specific service for kids and special content offers with learning material and topics for homeschooling.

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Global Task Force