Lecture 7 - Public Media

      After a relaxing break, we came back to an interesting and information filled lecture on what is public media is and the many functions and dimensions it may hold. Public media is defined as media whose mission is to serve or engage a public. Less associated with taxpayer supported, may be for profit so long as that’s its ultimate purpose. There are many forms that public media comes in such as the Australian Media Landscape (which includes SBS, ABC, etc), the International Landscape of Public Media, the International Media Landscape (which includes BBC, TVNZ, NHK, CBC, arte, PBS etc), and finally Community Media (American Public Media, Community broadcasting foundation, 4ZZZ, 4EB FM, 31 Digital etc). The role of public media in a democratic society was then discussed and how public media must have public value. 

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·     Public Value is defined in four main sections: 1. Embedding a public service ethos 2. Value for licence fee money 3. Weighing public value against market impact 4. Public consultation. Public service broadcasting was then discussed and what it involved. The main factors that encompass public service broadcasting include its geographical universality and universality of appeal. There are also special provisions for minorities  and a special relationship to the sense of national identity and community. Public service broadcasting is distanced from all vested interests and has a universality of payment. Competition of programming was briefly touched on and how public media service should liberate rather than restrict.  

ABC and SBS were then discussed as to what they consist of and manage. For ABC, these included ABC News 24, ABC 2, ABC 3, ABC local radio,  ABC radio national,  ABC Classic FM, Triple J and ABC Radio Australia. The ABC was founded in 1929 as a nation building project and operate shows such as ABC News, Hungry Beast, Australian Story, Compass, At the Movies, Angry Boys etc. SBS on the other hand, manages stations such as SBS One, SBS Two and SBS Radio. SBS Television was launched as 0/28 in 1990 as a multicultural channel, it included shows such as World News Australia, Insight, Rockwiz, The World Game and Go Back to Where you Came From.

      The functions of public media was split into four main categories and what they included. This was a very informative part of the lecture as I didn't realize how many different forms of public media there were in the commercial world. These were: Nation Building (ABC, NBNCo Limited etc), National Heritage (Historical items, Anzac Day etc), National Identity (Ethnic mix of Australia, Heritage) and National Conversations (State of origin, Bowls etc). The commercial dimension has a widespread selection of news which comprises of BBC Worldwide, The World Game Shop, ABC Commercial  and others. Did you know that 41% of Australians get their news from the ABC and each week 12.6 million Australians watch ABC TV!

      Next, the style of public media was examined and how it was laid out. The stylistics of how public media should be presented is in a serious manner, as a broadsheet and how the importance of the news should have more value over the interest. News should also be considered and not quick and unchecked. However, some may view certain news channels as boring, elitist, of limited interest, poorly presented and out of touch. The communication styles of how public media is presented comes in many forms such as through the press, via entertainment/social spectrum and even using propaganda. However, there are many challenges associated with public media due to their audience's needs and expectations. Therefore, public media must go through a checklist to ensure success in presenting news. Elements include: produce quality, make themselves relevant, engage with the democratic process, inform the public and be independent. There are many commercial pressures involved and allegations of bias/agenda as well.   


     Overall, the lecture was insightful and useful in understanding the tools for public media and its functions.