Back in the country of the midnight sun and vivid green summers.
One of the current media debates in Sweden focus on a new report into public service broadcasting. After a quick read it’s clear that the Swedish government is still struggling with what the core of public service is. The report suggests that production of entertainment programs should be mandated into the agreement between the broadcaster and the government. In most other countries with a strong public broadcaster, public service is usually asked to produce what the commercial media don’t. In Sweden this concept still does not seem to be well understood.
There is also considerable debate re regional production. The report suggests that the 55% regional production directive should be abolished. This may be one way of saving money, but public service should also be a way to provide quality media that goes beyond the big cities.
One reason for the un-clear role of public service in Sweden could be that commercial broadcasting only started in Sweden in the early 1980s and because public broadcasters need the commercials to define themselves, it may be some time still until the role of public service becomes clear in Sweden.
I’m sure the public service issue will be part of the Media and Global Divides conference that starts next Monday in Stockholm.
