British Broadcasting

1. To provide information

2. Enrich people’s lives culturally

3. To create economic activity

1+2 = public service philosophy
3 = commercial philosophy

1. The airwaves belong to the public, and those using them must do so in the public interest

2. Broadcasting is central to daily life and should serve a range of needs and tastes

3. Commercial interests should not compromise the broadcaster’s output.

Two ways of doing this: Set up a public company (BBC) funded by the public, or lease the airwaves to commercial companies but ask for PSB commitments in return through regulation (ITV, Channel 4)

• Cannot say anything you like; 9pm watershed, can’t show things harmful to the interests of children
• News and current affairs – not allowed to be biased, MUST be impartial
• Quotas on numbers of repeats/home produced material allowed
• Remits that require a diverse form of cultural broadcasting
• Certain sporting events need to be broadcast on PSB, e.g World Cup England matches