Unit 25 Assignment 2:

Issues and Debates about TV and Video

Public Service Broadcasting

• What is it?• The broadcasting provision of information, education and

entertainment• The PSB principles were established in 1925 by the first Director

General John Reith.• The PSB principle first applied to BBC radio, then BBC TV in 1936

and was later applied to all terrestrial TV channels (ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5)

• PSB requirements do not apply to Satellite and Cable channels.

Public Service Broadcasting

• What are the arguments for PSB?• Objective information about the world.• A wide range of programming – niche audiences are catered for.• The audience has access to cultural and arts programming.• The wide range of programming is important in a democratic

society• Not commercial

Public Service Broadcasting

• What are the arguments against?• Restricts how TV channels can be run.• Too many different public interests for all to be catered for.• Viewers don’t get enough choice in the TV that is available• Opinions shown could be biased and mislead the audience –

Hypodermic Model.