Media Uncovered

In the last episode, we ended with a vision from the Director General of RTBF, Jean-Paul Philippot, where RTBF no longer needs to be on social media. In this episode, we dig deeper. Jean-Paul says to leave platforms, they first need to bring audiences to their own apps. So how can public broadcasters do that? We look to NRK and what we can learn from their experience moving away from third-party audio platforms. 

And when there is such a gulf in size and spending power between PSM and tech platforms, how can you attract those audiences? Does the answer lie in user-generated content? We explore two initiatives trying to find the answer to this question, and provide a digital space which is filled with democratic debate rather than toxic abuse or mis- and disinformation. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Jean-Paul Philippot (RTBF), Cathinka Rondan (NRK), Catherine Tait (CBC/Radio-Canada), and Matthias Pfeffer (The Council for a European Public Space). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson and Tom Brazier.

Link to roundtable event: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/psm-unpacked-connecting-with-and-serving-indigenous-audiences/

Throughout the past two decades, social media networks have provided opportunities for public media to reach younger audiences and provide fresh content. It's been a necessary move, as younger audiences increasingly use these sites as a source of news. But recent headlines about two networks in particular – Twitter and TikTok – have shone a spotlight on public media’s relationship with social media.

Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson and Tom Brazier.

How can public service media manage and mitigate the cyber security threats which they now face? These threats – such as phishing, ransomware, or online abuse & harassment – are becoming ever more present and real. And they’re having an ever-greater impact on public service media – both at an organisational and an individual level. The seriousness of the threat has seen the cyber security team at CBC/Radio-Canada swell in size over just one decade.

This podcast is a conversation with the people leading the Canadian broadcaster’s cyber security response, from how they deal with these threats, to where they see threats developing in the future. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Philippe Edmond and Anne-Sophie Letellier (CBC/Radio-Canada). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson and Tom Brazier. 

Video on demand has been around for barely longer than a decade, and yet it’s now impossible to imagine public broadcasting without it… let alone the wider media landscape. Its impact has been huge. 

In this episode, we look at public broadcasting in a streaming world. How has public service media changed in a changing market to remain competitive, relevant, and valued by their audience? How has the rise of those global streamers affected national public media? And how are public broadcasters rising to the challenge? 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Jari Lahti (Yle); Dr Alessandro D'Arma (University of Westminster); Wolfgang Kreißig (Die Medienanstalten); SunWook Choi (KBS). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson and Tom Brazier. 

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In this episode, we examine the various ways in which radio is being used as a force for peace? From its utility able to reach audiences, other forms of media cannot access, to the way it establishes a special connection with its audience, radio possesses a unique power in being able to break down barriers, and establish social unity. 

So where and how is this being done? We head to Colombia to speak to two people working for the 'emisoras de paz' (peace radio stations) created through the 2016 Peace Agreement, and also to the Central African Republic where an independent radio station is trying to establish peace. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Yesenia Polania & Juan Ricardo Pulido (RTVC); Brice Landry Ndangoui (Radio Ndeke Luka); and Jackie Dalton (Fondation Hirondelle). Translation: Glynis Robshaw. Voiceover: Libby Corrie. Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still, Tom Brazier. 

In the final episode in our miniseries on media freedom, we look at the Global Task Force for Public Media – a grouping of eight leaders of public service media organisations – and examine what role it can play in fighting for media freedom and journalist safety. It comes just after the head of SVT, Hanna Stjärne – a GTF member – was listed as an intended target by a convicted murderer and neo-Nazi. 

The GTF was established in 2020, and is formed of the ABC, BBC, CBC/Radio-Canada, France Télévisions, KBS, RNZ, SVT, and ZDF. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Hanna Stjärne (SVT), Catherine Tait (CBC/Radio-Canada), Paul Thompson (RNZ), David Anderson (ABC). Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still and Tom Brazier. 

Media freedom is under threat, as we explored in our previous episode. In this episode, we look at what's being done about it... We look at the techniques used by civil society groups to bolster media freedom in different countries. We speak to the President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada about their campaign to improve journalist safety against online harm. And we consider the strength of the Media Freedom Coalition – a government entity set up 3 years ago to improve media freedom. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Silvia Chocarro (Article 19), Martin Scott (UEA), Catherine Tait (CBC/Radio-Canada), & Jessica White (Freedom House). Music: Tom Brazier, Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson. 

What are the different threats to media freedom across the world? How are they manifesting and who's behind them? We speak to journalists & media professionals about the current global situation.

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Silvia Chocarro (Article 19) Judy King (BBC Monitoring), Marcela Turati, Jessica White (Freedom House). Music: Tom Brazier, Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson. 

As the BBC celebrates its 100th Anniversary in October, we look ahead to the future. Live from the Radiodays Asia conference, this episode examines how public media can and should work with tech to maintain accessibility.

Presenter: Harry Lock. Host: Radiodays Asia. Guests: David Hua (SBS), Richard Sutherland (RNZ), & Sopit Wangvivatana (Thai PBS). Music: Rachel Still & Lucas Thompson.

How are public media organisations decarbonising, and becoming greener, more sustainable corporations? And how are they becoming resilient in the face of the climate crisis?