What is public service broadcasting?

Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)is broadcasting made, financed and controlled by the public, for the public. It is neither commercial nor state-owned, free from political interference and pressure from commercial forces. Through PSB, citizens are informed, educated and also entertained. When guaranteed with pluralism, programming diversity, editorial independence, appropriate funding, accountability and transparency, public service broadcasting can serve as a cornerstone of democracy.

UNESCO's work in the field of public service broadcasting focuses on:

• enhancing the utility of PSB as an educational and cultural vehicle, especially for disadvantaged communities
• promoting best PSB practices and professional standards and contributing to relevant revisions of national legislation
• strengthening PSB as a gateway to information and knowledge for all
• fostering the indigenous content quality and technological upgrading of public service broadcasting
• encouraging innovative and creative improvements in programming to captivate larger audiences
• upholding discussions between media professionals, decision-makers, and other stakeholders on major PSB-related issues.

In the future the programme will focus upon:

• sustaining editorially independent broadcasters in the substantial fulfillment of their cultural, educational and social roles
• contributing to capacity-building and providing training in modern broadcasting, particularly in issues related to ICTs.
• Encouraging media professionals to reduce unnecessary display of violence in television programmes and to focus on delivering unbiased information to all citizens
• stimulating an international debate on the significant PSB-related issues and its impact on education, culture and civil society
• strengthening partnerships with professional media organizations and cretaing new alliances with major stakeholders In order to reinforce media pluralism, UNESCO promotes public service broadcasting as well as the editorial independence of the media in both the private and public sectors.