Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Challenges of Public Service Broadcasting
The Challenges of Public Service Broadcasting
www.bhutancmd.org.bt www.bbs.com.bt
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PSB Seminar 2010
Annexe I
Programme details 8
Annexe II
Evaluation 9
Annexe III
Comments by the participants 15
Annexe IV
List of Participants 20
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PSB Seminar 2010
Background
The media industry is undergoing a major change spurred by developments in media and
technology. The rapid commercialisation of media, de-regulation, and the ever increasing
volume of media content is changing the way people view and consume media. This
brings to question the role of public service broadcasting in an era of specialized
programming, niche audiences, and unlimited content.
Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) in collaboration with Bhutan
Broadcasting Service (BBS) hosted a two-day seminar starting to discuss the nature and
role of public service broadcasting in an increasingly commercialised industry.
Aims
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PSB Seminar 2010
Joe Carlos, CEO, Global Media Centre for Development, an initiative of the Asia
Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development.
Presentation on: Why Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) matters – the future of
PSB.
Gerda Meuer, Managing Director of DW Akademie.
Presentation on: The role of PSB and its shape in Germany.
Thepchai Yong, Managing Director of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service.
Presentation on: PSB – a necessity for developing countries. Thailand’s Public
Broadcast Service model.
Dr. Venkat Iyer, barrister and academic, University of Ulster.
Presentation on: Legal and Regulatory Aspects of PSB.
Editors, Journalist and media professionals from print, radio and television media.
Members of the National Council of Bhutan.
Members of the National Assembly of Bhutan.
Government officials from various sectors and ministries.
Members of civil society and private sector.
Impact/Results:
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PSB Seminar 2010
Lessons Learned
Participants felt that such a seminar, the first to the held in Bhutan, was much
needed as it added clarity to the role of media in Bhutan.
Increase the length of the session on legal and regulatory framework.
Should give more time for Q & A sessions.
Role of PSB in promoting GNH should also be included in future seminars.
They recognize that Public Service Broadcasting is a vital component of a GNH society
for Bhutan, and the need for public service obligations to be integrated into existing
policy and planning, and in media development.
A. Legal Structure/Framework
The BICMA Act needs to be amended to incorporate a chapter on PSB. This will
enable PSB obligations to be applied to all broadcasters present and future.
Details of those obligations will be spelled out in individual broadcasting licenses.
The amendment may also consider public service responsibility for all media.
Consider enacting a new Act to provide legal basis for BBS. This will take into
account the existing Royal Decree, the Company’s Act and any necessary
revisions thereof. Revisions need to take into consideration the inherent conflicts
of BBS being governed by the Company’s Act and the social mandate of PSB.
Set up an independent Media Council to promote professionalism and to resolve
media disputes.
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PSB Seminar 2010
B. Management:
Governance Board:
Should have wide representation from all sections of society
Nominations can be made by an appointing committee equivalent to that for
constitutional appointees or by institutions representing cross-sections of the
society
Appointment as per Charter/broadcast legislation
Members will serve a term of three years, renewable once
Managing Director:
Open competitive selection
General Manager:
Open competitive selection and/or Nomination by the Management Committee
Role of Management:
Day to day management and decisions
Medium and long-term planning
Sustainability:
Assured funding from the state
Diversification of products and services
Review budget and funding procedure
Advertising compatible with PSB mandates
Adequate funding for HRD
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PSB Seminar 2010
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PSB Seminar 2010
Annexe I
Programme details
Day 1 Monday, 8 Nov., 2010
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PSB Seminar 2010
Annexe II
Evaluation
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PSB Seminar 2010
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10
0
Adequate
R ated 5 19
R ated 4 13
R ated 3 2
R ated 2 0
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PSB Seminar 2010
Annexe III
Comments by the Participants
Remarks from Day 1’s evaluation.
1. Has the seminar improved your overall understanding of PSB? Is there anything
else about PSB you would like to learn about?
Understood about the PBS better after the presentation by the resources persons.
Seminar improved my understanding.
I would like to learn more on do’s and don’ts
Yes
Overall understanding of PSB has increased
Getting confused as it is difficult to define
Definitely
Seminar was very interesting and pertinent
Have personally come to learn more and understand PSB.
Understanding for PSB has enhanced
Enhanced the understanding of the subject
More case studies will be valuable
No
Up to certain extent
Should have PSB if so why? And if not why?
Yes I understand PSB more now
Greatly enhanced
Would like to learn as to how PSB deals with media literacy
Should there be monopoly of PSB or should there be more than one player to
create some competition to enhance the quality of media contents?
Which one would be appropriate for Bhutan?
More on commercial activities that can be taken up by PSB without
compromising its PSB role
Would like to learn more about PSB editorial independence program scheduling
under PSB and funding for PSB
Definitely
Seminar was useful, educative and informative
Once again it has reminded us to how to go about with our responsibilities
Yes pertaining to Bhutanese PSB would be great
What initiatives are there in Bhutan to establish PSB? i.e political , public
Who is for or against PSB
Yes it has improved my overall understanding of PSB
Know on Bhutanese’s context
How free is our media
Was informative
Though provoking and very timely
Covered major topics relevant to PSB
More information on the functioning, set up in various countries
Great introduction of PSB
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PSB Seminar 2010
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Media literacy
Future of PSB, its relevance with increasing trend of public reporting through
other format
Legal aspects should be covered more
Media and democracy
Information law
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PSB Seminar 2010
List of topics which you would have liked to spend more time.
Management, sustainability and independence.
Funding status of BBS on PSB
Detailed discussions on actual standing of BBS
Content of programmes
Management, sustainability and independence.
Management, sustainability and independence.
Content analysis
Relevance of PBS
PSB vs GNH – How can PSB support GNH
Content and electronic media
Future of PSBs
Legal Section and Management
Analyse/study content of existing station that functions with PSB mandate
Creating public service oriented content for a Bhutanese audience.
Sustainability and Funding model. Editorial independence
Legislation
Legal and regulatory aspects of PSB
Editorial independence and legal framework revision.
Q and A
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PSB Seminar 2010
The seminar created more awareness of the need to strengthen the BBS as PSB in
our country.
The seminar was useful, important and educative. It would be great if the sessions
could be conducted for more than 2 days.
We need more time on legal section, the dos and don’ts for journalist and
management.
The programmes have been very interesting and educative, and I’m looking
forward for such seminars in future again.
Commendable job towards sensitising people on PBS.
Very informative and the recommendations are apt. I hope these
recommendations are taken up and we have a PSB of the people, for the people.
Thank you was a great learning experience.
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PSB Seminar 2010
Annexe IV
List of Participants (Placed alphabetically)
National Council
1. Pema Lhamo – National Council
2. Kuenlay Tshering – National Council
3. Naichu – National Council
4. Sangay Khandu – National Council
5. Tashi Wangmo – Member, National Council
6. Tashi Wangyal – National Council
7. Sonam Dorji – National Council
8. Sonam Kinga – Deputy Chairperson, National Council
National Assembly
9. Damchoe Dorji – National Assembly
10. Tshering Tobgay – National Assembly
Board BBS
11. Phuntsho Namgyal – MoAF, (Board BBS)
12. Sangay Zam – MoE (Board BBS)
BBS
13. Airaj Tamang – BBS
14. Ashok Moktan – BBS (GM)
15. Ashok Tirwa – BBS
16. Damber – BBS
17. Dawa – BBS
18. Dorji Phuntsho – BBS
19. Deki Choden Dorji – BBS
20. Dukpo Wangdi – BBS
21. Eshoree – BBS
22. Karma Dorji Tamang – BBS
23. Karma Wangchuk – BBS
24. Kelzang Thinley – BBS
25. Kesang – BBS (GM)
26. Namgay Zam – BBS
27. Ngawang Dorji – BBS
28. Nirpa Raj – BBS
29. Nyema Zam – BBS
30. Pema Dorji – BBS
31. Nima Yangchen – BBS
32. Pema Choden – BBS (Managing Director)
33. Pema Dorji – BBS (GM)
34. Pema Tenzin – BBS
35. Phub Dorji – BBS
36. Rajesh Kafley – BBS (GM)
37. Sherpem Sherpa – BBS
38. Sonam (News) – BBS
39. Sonam – BBS
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PSB Seminar 2010
PMO
49. Dekey C Gyeltshen – PMO
50. Phuntsho Choden – PMO
Sherubtse
51. Anju Chhetri – Sherubtse (RUB)
52. Sangay Tshechu – Sherubtse (RUB)
Government Offices
53. Dawa Penjor – DoIM
54. Kinley T Wangchuk – DoIM
55. Monira A Y Tshewang – DoIM
56. Tshering Wangmo – DoIM
57. Choiten Wangchuk – DNB
58. Dorji Tshering – Department of Culture
59. Kaysang W Samdup – Department of Revenue and Customs
60. Phuntsho – MoIC
61. Sonam Dhenup – PPD, MoIC
62. Tshering Wangdi – MoA
Media
63. Chencho Tshering – Kuensel
64. Gopal Singh – Bhutan Observer
65. Karma Choden – Kuzoo Fm
66. Natasha Akin – Bhutan Observer
67. Phurba – Kuensel
68. Rinzin Dorji – APCO – ITAB
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