With the rise in disinformation and drop in public trust, there has never been a more vital need for public media organisations to provide trusted information to hold power to account and inform democracy. The current Covid-19 pandemic only further accentuates this role. 

But around the world, public media is under threat. Many public broadcasters are struggling to survive as budgets are stripped back and as state capture becomes a growing trend with the rise of populism in many countries.

In the latest episode of ABC Radio National’s ‘Future Tense’ podcast, the Public Media Alliance’s CEO, Sally-Ann Wilson, and Editorial Manager, Kristian Porter, join Professor Karen Donders from the Department of Communication Sciences, Vrije Universitet in Brussels and Professor Des Freedman from the Media and Communications department at Goldsmiths, University of London, to explore the essential role that public broadcasters play in society as well as the financial and political pressures they face.

Header Image: ABC Radio National’s ‘Future Tense’ podcast. Credit: ABC Radio National