Public Service Media in Europe

Karen Donders has established herself as the leading academic analyst of the challenges facing public service media in contemporary Europe. Here she combines careful normative theory with in-depth case studies, providing an account that everyone concerned with this topic will have to read. David Hesmondhalgh, Professor of Media, Music and Culture, University of Leeds This book asks some tough and much-needed questions about the difference between the public service media we would like and the public service media we actually have. Donders argues that if PSM is to serve democracy, we will need to consider profound changes to the governance, funding and the very stranding of public media in our respective countries. A rich, comprehensive and critical account of our changing media landscape. Des Freedman, Professor of Media and Communications, Goldsmiths University of London The debate on Public Service Media (PSM) is conducted on many different levels: political, journalistic and academic. Karen Donders' book seems to combine all of the above. Experts' statements and the author's knowledge enabled the creation of a book that presents an in-depth reflection not only on what PSMs are like in Europe, but what they could and should be like in order for their presence to regain a strong democratic legitimacy. The existence of the PSM is not only a non-commercial alternative to private media, but also a common denominator for the social debate in which PSMs are responsible for 'giving the tone' to other broadcasters. In the choir of increasingly polarized media in Europe, the PSM's voice is not only still important, but can be an antidote to the information smog and disinformation. The work of Karen Donders fits into the debate about the obligations of media, which is important for the quality of democracy. Alicia Jaskiernia, Professor at the Faculty of Journalism, Information and Book Studies, University of Warsaw A thought-provoking book on public service media by one of the absolute experts in the field. Karen Donders brings her extensive knowledge of theories, legal realities and practices as well as her research rigor to a topic she is utterly familiar and totally passionate about. Inviting us to start from the practice and law to come to a future proof theoretical understanding of Public Service Media, Karen Donders has produced a book that is at once an instant classic and that will be of interest to academics, policymakers and professionals well beyond Western Europe. Hilde Van den Bulck, Professor and Department Head, Department of Communication, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences