Public service media in the
digital era
Marisa Fernandez Esteban
European Commission
Audiovisual and Media Policies
Addressing Europe’s Digital Divide:
Towards Sustainable Public Service Media in South East Europe,
Sarajevo, 15 October 2010
Challenges for PSB in the digital
area
 Preserving the contribution of PSB to
freedom of the expression and cultural
diversity
 Promoting the mission of public service
broadcasters in the information society
 Respecting the public/private dual
structure of the European electronic media
 Expanding PSB contribution in new media
activities in line with EU state aid
control
2
Preserving the contribution of PSB
to freedom of the expression and
cultural diversity
 Safeguards for the independence
of broadcasting are of key
importance
 PSB is a key player in the
promotion of cultural diversity in
line with Digital Agenda for
Europe
3
Promoting the mission of public
service broadcasters in the
information society
PSB MUST RESPOND to the challenges
But
The multiplication of platforms
DO NOT GUARANTEE MEDIA PLURALISM
or quality of the audiovisual contents.
4
Public/private dual structure of the
European electronic media
The co-existence of private
and public audiovisual media
service providers is a Key
feature of the European
audiovisual media market.
5
Public service Media and State Aid
Rules
 Communication on state aid to PSB (2009)
 PSB Mission must be clearly defined and
entrusted in all transparency (Amsterdam
Protocol)
 new activities possible if meeting “the
same democratic, social and cultural needs
of the society”
 specific evaluation procedure of the
new media activities in fields not yet
explored by public service broadcasters.
6
Thank your for your attention!
maria-luisa.fernandezesteban@ec.europa.eu