Accountability and the Public Interest in Broadcasting (Electronic book text)

In the final years of the twentieth century great changes came over the comparatively settled world of broadcasting. The introduction of satellites and then of digitalization opened up the possibility of competition on a scale never previously contemplated. Regulatory regimes were thrown into disorder not only was their rule increasingly hard to impose, but its justification became more difficult with a multiplicity of outlets on offer to the public. Practices of accountability and the continuing nature of a public interest in broadcasting and, more and more, new media were thrown into question. With challenges raised against the spending of public money on some forms of broadcasting in all the countries analysed, this book looks at the dilemmas confronting governments, public corporations, commercial companies and, particularly, the audience. Based on interviews conducted in four countries - India, Australia, the UK and the USA - it reveals a wide range of opinions on topics which lie close to the heart of their democracies.