The Digital and Internet Innovations of Public Service Broadcasters: Between the Priorities of Public Service Tasks and European Economic Competition Policy

Abstract

The following documentation reflects the presentations and discussions of an interdisciplinary workshop that was held under the title ‘The Digital and Internet Innovations of the Public Service Broadcasting between the Priorities of Public Service Tasks and European Competition Policy’. The workshop took place on November 16 and 17, 2013, at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg), Germany. Several issues concerning the further development of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) in Europe are the background of the workshop. In the EU member states, PSB plays a key role in society, as it aims to fulfil different public service remits with its television and radio programs and Internet services. The EU member states demand that PSB ensures plurality of opinion, information, education, and culture as well as media pluralism, journalism, and information qualities. In addition, PSB offerings should support the process of democratic, free, and public opinion formation, ensure editorial independence, serve majority as well as minority tastes, and fulfil the democratic, social, and cultural needs of each society. However, research is needed, because both the convergence of media and the development of the European single market cause structural changes within PSB. Particularly, the Internet has changed media usage patterns and the needs of the population. The established media brands, including the PSB offerings, face a significant need for adjustment due to social and online media. The purpose of this workshop was to prepare an international research project in cooperation with European partners. The research project should examine the social position of PSB in the member states and how PSB fulfils its public service remits in the Internet age. For example, a comparison is used to explore the institutional solutions that work to solve the conflicting situation between the public service objectives of PSB and the economic policy objectives of the European Union. We want to thank all participants for the success of the workshop and for their papers and discussions. We also thank the student assistants, Rebecca Thielen and Nina Lötzer, and the Research and Transfer Center ‘Applications of Life Sciences’ of the HAW Hamburg, Prof. Dr. Walter Leal and Kathrin Rath, without whom such a workshop could not have taken place.