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Can public service broadcasting survive Silicon Valley? Synthesizing leadership perspectives at the BBC, PBS, NPR, CPB and local U.S. stations

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  • Martin, Erik Nikolaus

Abstract

Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is generally characterized by a remit to provide high-quality news, educational content, cultural enrichment and entertainment as free public goods with as broad a public reach as possible while also filling critical gaps in the media ecosystem (a multifaceted principle called universality). However, in the current online environment, the ability to reach audiences is increasingly intermediated by online platforms managed by powerful technology companies who do not necessarily share the same objectives or values as PSBs. Interviews were conducted with PSB executives and managers working on digital products and strategy in the U.K. and U.S. to examine the challenges and tensions PSB entities face in the context of growing commercial platform power and the strategies emerging in response, such as investing in new platforms and digital infrastructures rooted in traditional public service values. The study also discusses differences in capacities to respond to platform power between the decentralized U.S. PSB system and centralized U.K. system. Finally, the study discusses some theoretical and practical implications, and suggests some ways PSB services might survive and thrive with robust fidelity to democratic needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin, Erik Nikolaus, 2021. "Can public service broadcasting survive Silicon Valley? Synthesizing leadership perspectives at the BBC, PBS, NPR, CPB and local U.S. stations," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:64:y:2021:i:c:s0160791x20312549
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101451
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Johnson, Nathan & Turnbull, Benjamin & Reisslein, Martin, 2022. "Social media influence, trust, and conflict: An interview based study of leadership perceptions," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    2. Sjøvaag, Helle & Olsen, Ragnhild Kr. & Ferrer-Conill, Raul, 2024. "Delivering content: Modular broadcasting technology and the role of content delivery networks," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(4).
    3. Alan C. Logan & Susan H. Berman & Brian M. Berman & Susan L. Prescott, 2021. "Healing Anthropocene Syndrome: Planetary Health Requires Remediation of the Toxic Post-Truth Environment," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, January.

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