EBU backs BBC contribution to UK society at parliamentary enquiry

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will today give evidence to the House of Lords' Communications Committee overseeing the BBC Charter Renewal: public purposes and licence fee.

Dr Roberto Su rez Candel, who heads the EBU's Media Intelligence Service (MIS), and will be asked his views on a number of topics including the BBC's standing overseas, comparisons with other public service broadcasting organisations in Europe and the changing definition from public service broadcasting to public service media (PSM).

The BBC is a shining example of PSM worldwide and a source of inspiration to the EBU community, which numbers 73 Members across 56 countries, said Dr Su rez. Traditionally, the legitimacy of PSM has been built on arguments related to their role as an essential tool for democracy and their ability to create content notable for its quality and diversity. However our Members contribute to society in other ways, by growing GDP, generating jobs in a variety of sectors and inadvertently stimulating technology and innovation in ways which we are now beginning to measure.

The House of Lords Committee is tasked with investigating the role the BBC plays in the arts and culture of the UK; the role the BBC should play in education and training; the effectiveness of the BBC's public purposes in delivering public benefit for culture; and the effect any financial cuts would have, both on the BBC and on the cultural life of the UK. Its findings are expected to be delivered to parliament by March 2016.

Measuring PSM's contribution to Society With support from the EBU Members Advisory Panel (VRT, NPO, BBC, RTE, SR, YLE, RAI, ORF, CT, ARD, SRG SSR), MIS is currently conducting research to create a modern-day framework to measure how PSM contribute to society that includes:

a map of defined areas of activity and a catalogue of indicators to assess and report on PSM contribution to society

best practices implemented by EBU Members

guidelines about how to identify PSM values and benefits, and how to effectively communicate them

LINK:	http://www3.ebu.ch/news/2015/07/ebu-backs-bbc-contribution-to-uk...
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