Ofcom: Public Service Broadcasting in the Internet Age
This document, produced by the independent British broadcasting regulator, sets out its conclusions from its third review into public service broadcasting in the UK.
It assesses the performance of the PSB system as a whole and the potential challenges it faces in the future. It also looks to the methods that could be employed to maintain and strengthen PSB across the UK.
The report is published alongside various additions and annexes which assess PSB in each of the UK’s regions and nations specifically. These can be found here.
New Zealand: Children’s Media Use Study
“How our children engage with media today”
This research produced by New Zealand’s Broadcasting Standards Authority elucidates to the changing use of media platforms by the country’s 6-14 year olds.
The paper finds that television is still the dominant format for children although the use of tablets and smartphones is rapidly rising. It states that this age range is the biggest differentiator in media behaviour, with usage evolving as the child grows older. However, there is a clear tipping point at the age of 11 when the use of Youtube and social media rise dramatically.
The report also highlights differences between social setting, background and ethnicity in the use of different media platforms, the level of exposure and content preferences.
Autonomy and Regulatory Frameworks of Public Service Media in the Triangle of Politics, the Public and the Economy
Eva Nowak
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
University of Oxford
2014
Overview
“Traditional regulatory frameworks for public service broadcasters in Europe are challenged by developments in media technology, media use, and media economy. European states react in very different ways to these challenges emphasising political, public, or economic objectives in their regulation. This study analyses the influencing factors on PSM regulatory frameworks in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom”
To read the full article, click here.
Media and Gender
A scholarly agenda for the Global Alliance on Media and Gender
This extensive report is a significant scholarly contributions to knowledge and action towards expanding women’s participation in all communication platforms.
According to the authors this volume “proposes a pragmatic research agenda for the Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG), looking back, building on the past and looking to the future.”
For access to the full open source publication, click here
Mapping Digital Media: News and New Media in Central Africa
Challenges and Opportunities
Marie-Soleil Frère
The Open Society Media Program, December 2012
Abstract
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa. Rwanda and Burundi are among the continent’s smallest states. More than just neighbours, these three countries are locked together by overlapping histories and by extreme political and economic challenges. Their populations are overwhelmingly rural and young. In terms of media, radio is by far the most popular source of news. Levels of state capture are high, and media quality is generally poor. Professional journalists face daunting obstacles.
Telecoms overheads are exorbitantly high. In these conditions, new and digital media — which flourish on consumers’ disposable income, strategic investment, and vibrant markets — have made a very slow start. Crucially, connectivity remains low. But change is afoot, led by the growth of mobile internet access.
In this report, Marie-Soleil Frère surveys the news landscapes of DRC, Burundi, and Rwanda. Marshalling an impressive range of data, she examines patterns of production and consumption, the often grim realities of law and regulation, the embryonic state of media policy, the role of donors, and the positive impact of online platforms. Most media outlets now have an online presence. SMS has become a basic tool for reporters. Interactivity gives voice to increasing numbers of listeners. The ease of digital archiving makes it possible to create a collective media “memory” for the first time. Chinese businesses are winning tenders for infrastructure projects.
The report ends with a set of practical recommendations relating to infrastructure, strategies to reduce access costs for journalists and the public, education and professionalisation, donor activity, governance, regulation, and media management.
Public policies for public service media
UK and the German policy cases, with warnings and lessons from the USA
A 2010 article by Prof. Peter Humphreys (University of Manchester) that focuses on the impact of new technologies and changing media markets on public service broadcasting. The first part of the article focuses on the impact of new technologies and changing media markets on PSB whilst the second focuses on how to maintain a plurality of content and public service players. US examples and broadcast experiences are used comparatively throughout this paper.
This article was published for the RIPE@2010 conference series.
For the full article, click here