Week 8 lecture summary: Public Media

After knowing more about commercial media, it’s time to go on public media.

What is the difference between public media and commercial media?

• public media → citizens;
• commercial media → consumers

What is Public Media?

u        Ultimate purpose is to serve the public

u        E.g. traditional publicly-funded broadcasters and networks

What are the examples of Public Media?

SBS, ABC, BBC, RTHK, etc.

Function:

²         Nation Building

²         National Heritage

²         National Identity

²         National Conversations

Social responsibility (public trust) in a Democratic society:

ü          To produce quality

ü          To make themselves relevant

ü          To engage with the democratic/political process = give voice

ü          To inform the public

ü          To be independent from funders government

Lastly, public media should avoid political bias and to present “both sides of the story”.