public service broadcasting - a term which is not easy to define. The essential notion here is that broadcasting's function is not simply to satisfy commercial interests by giving the public what they want in an attempt to maximize audience figures, but, rather, to inform, educate and entertain the public, the notion of 'quality' being central. Examples are:

• that broadcasters are legally required to be impartial in their coverage of news and current affairs
• that broadcasters must carry a certain proportion of educational programmes
• that broadcasters must broadcast a certain proportion of current affairs during prime time

- and so on.

See also:

Public service broadcasting

Types of broadcasting system

If you have arrived here outside the main site, you'll find the front page here.