This book on public service broadcasting explores the legal and regulatory systems governing public service broadcasters in eight different countries around the world, looking at what services they provide, the way in which their mandates are defined, their internal governance systems, mechanisms of oversight or accountability and how they are funded.

This publication is the second edition of this book, which was originally published jointly by UNESCO and AIBD in 2000. The original publication was very well received, has been translated into a number of different languages, and has become a point of reference in many countries for advocates, civil society activists, legal professionals and decision-makers.

This second edition is expected to continue to be a useful reference and to serve as an authoritative source of information from countries around the world, as a friend for broadcasters to help them solve some of the issues they are currently facing in their own organizations. Knowing others always means knowing ourselves.

The author, Mr Toby Mendel, is the Executive Director of the Centre for Law and Democracy an international human rights NGO based in Canada which promotes respect for rights which are foundational to democracy, including freedom of expression. He has worked closely with UNESCO in a number of countries around the world advising on general broadcasting and also specific public service broadcasting legislation.