Media Uncovered

We speak to the two leaders of two major international public broadcasters, the BBC World Service and SwissInfo, about why they believe international public media is needed now more than ever. Undoubtedly, it's a difficult time to be an independent international public service media entity. Funding is precarious, the rise of big tech and how it fuels mis- and disinformation means it's a harder job, and the rise of China's and Russia's state media machines means there's now more competition. We discuss the challenges, and explore ways in which international public media can maintain its relevance in the world.  We also unpick with an academic and author of a book about Trump and VOA, what's been happening to USAGM, and the wider impact this might have on the global information landscape.  Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Larissa Bieler (SwissInfo), Jonathan Munro (BBC World Service), & Martin Scott (University of East Anglia).  Music: Rachel Still & Lucas Thompson

Content creators are only becoming increasingly influential, and are able to access young audiences – an audience which public media traditionally finds very difficult to reach. So is there an opportunity for public media to work with content creators in mutually beneficial exchanges? In this episode, we look at two programmes being run by broadcasters where they are collaborating with content creators: the ABC and the BBC. And we look from both sides – the side of the public broadcaster, and the side of the content creator, to understand the benefits that such programmes could provide. We also speak to UNESCO about how they've been surveying content creators to find out their competencies. And with such programmes already underway, we discuss with one academic why public media needs to be particularly cautious about collaborating with news influencers. LINKS:  ABC Creator Program Adwoa and Solomon Instagram account BBC Creator Lab UNESCO survey of content creators UNESCO content creators online training programme Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Adeline Hulin (UNESCO), Adwoa and Solomon (Adeche), Daniel Ahern (ABC), Dr Kelly Fincham (University of Galway). Special thanks: Kristian Porter (PMA). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier. 

For our final episode of 2024, and the final in our short bonus series of conversations recorder at the PBI conference in Ottawa, we sit down with two public media CEOs, to discuss what it's like, running a public media organisation.  Both Catherine Tait, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, and Hanna Stjärne, CEO of Swedish Television, will be leaving their positions at the end of this year. In this podcast, they consider their achievements and any regrets. As two women, they also talk about the harassment, attacks and threats they have faced during their time. Plus, they talk about the future of public media in their respective countries, the wider challenges facing the industry and journalism.  Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Catherine Tait (CBC/Radio-Canada), Hanna Stjärne (SVT). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, & Tom Brazier. 

In this second bonus episode, featuring a conversation recorded in Ottawa in October at the Public Broadcasters International conference, we explore the Public Spaces Incubator. The Incubator was originally founded as a partnership between four public broadcasters – CBC/Radio-Canada, RTBF, SRG SSR and ZDF – and one tech company, called New_Public. It released its first prototypes earlier this year, and has now welcomed ABC and ARD onboard as well. How did the Incubator start? What problems is it trying to solve? And when co-productions of this nature are so hard to get off the ground, what's the secret behind the success of the Incubator? Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Catherine Tait, CBC/Radio-Canada & Eli Pariser, New_Public. Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still & Tom Brazier.  For more information on the Public Spaces Incubator: https://newpublic.org/psi.

In the first of a series of interviews recorded on the sidelines of the Public Broadcasting International Conference 2024, this episode of Media Uncovered focusses on Indigenous Peoples and public broadcasting. For the first at the annual conference, October's PBI, held in the Canadian capital Ottawa, saw a full day devoted to Indigenous voices in the media. Attendees from around the world discussed Indigenous stories, language revitalisation efforts, and questions of cultural identity and authenticity, as well as how national media grapple with their relationships with Indigenous communities.  In this episode, recorded at the end of that special day, Jamie Tahana sat down with Robert Doane, the director of the National Indigenous Office at CBC/Radio-Canada, and Kerry Swanson, the chief executive of Canada's National Indigenous Screen Office.  Read our report on how public media are reaching and reflecting Indigenous Peoples: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/how-public-service-media-are-reaching-and-reflecting-indigenous-audiences/ Find out more about the UNESCO project: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/?s=Indigenous Presenter: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Robert Doane (CBC/Radio-Canada) & Kerry Swanson (ISO). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson & Tom Brazier. 

RTÉ, Ireland's national public broadcaster, has been at the centre of a national drama for the past eighteen months. It all started after an undisclosed payments scandal broke out involving one of its star presenters. Further revelations regarding lavish spending and a doomed and costly musical, only ramped up the pressure on the organisation. The crisis saw trust in the broadcaster plummet and a subsequent financial headache, as audiences en masse refused to pay their licence fee. The Director General at the time, Dee Forbes, resigned.  Yet out of this, RTÉ has emerged with a new five year strategy, a new leadership team headed by new Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, and a more secure funding arrangement for at least the next three years. How has this happened? In this episode, we speak to Kevin Bakhurst about this turnaround, and how RTÉ are still striving to restore trust in the organisation, from both audiences and staff.  Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson & Tom Brazier. In the next few weeks, we'll be releasing bonus episodes recorded live from Ottawa at the PBI conference. Subscribe so you don't miss out!

In this special episode of Media Uncovered, we're in Taiwan, looking at how public media are adopting and embracing Artificial Intelligence. The episode spotlights seven different projects either being worked on; trialled and tested; or in use already. The projects cover four themes related to AI: news & journalism; children's content; language services; and organisation.  We also consider the current relationship between public media and Artificial Intelligence, with Develop AI founder and AI expert, Paul McNally.  The episode was recorded at the PTS Symposium on Public Media & AI, held in Taipei in early September. For more information, click on this link: https://www.pts.org.tw/2024pts_symposium/. In the podcast, we hear from PTS themselves as to why they decided to hold this event.  For more information on each of these projects:  France Télévisions – Nous, jeunesse(s) d'Iran: https://larevuedesmedias.ina.fr/urgence-france-televisions-inventer-le-floutage-de-demain RTVE – AI election software: https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20230528/inteligencia-artificial-noticias-elecciones-28-mayo-poblaciones-menos-1000-habitantes/2446742.shtml PBS – Lyla in the Loop & Elinor Wonders Why: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2024/02/05/inside-how-pbs-kids-series-lyla-in-the-loop-tries-to-make-computer-science-more-accessible-to-all-children/?sh=504f9fa62222. SVT – A Christmas Miracle: https://omoss.svt.se/arkiv/nyhetsarkiv/2024-01-26-svts-julmiraklet-tavlar-vid-prix-jeunesse.html  RNZ – LLM partnership: https://www.rnz.co.nz/media/226 NHK – sign-language avatar: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/08/31/summer-paralympics/nhk-tokyo-2020-sign-language/ Deutsche Welle – LLM: https://www.dw.com/en/what-is-deutsche-welles-approach-to-generative-ai/a-66868035  Presenter: Harry Lock. Producers: Charlotte Pion & Jamie Tahana. Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, and Tom Brazier. Speakers: Paul McNally (Develop AI), Dennis Chen (PTS), Eric Scherer (France Télévisions), David Corral (RTVE), Abby Jenkins (PBS), Simon Staffans (independent producer), Rhonwyn Newson (RNZ), Tsubasa Uchida (NHK), Ruth Kühn (DW).  Additional audio supplied by: Eric Scherer / France Télévisions; David Corral / RTVE; Simon Staffans / SVT.

Why are so many American public media networks downsizing, and laying off staff? For this episode, we head to the US. In February 2023, NPR announced it was laying off 10-percent of its workforce – at least 100 people – facing a shortfall of $30 million. And in June 2024, it was announced that PBS would be making 24 people redundant. In the intervening months between those two announcements, there has been a litany of layoffs from regional networks, from GBH in Boston to Colorado Public Radio in Denver. What's causing these layoffs? And what impact will they have on the staff, on the content, and on the audiences?  Presenter: Harry Lock. Correspondents: Jamie Tahana and Charlotte Pion. Guests: Mary Cavallaro (SAG-AFTRA), Ken Doctor (Lookout Local), Patricia Harrison (CPB), Professor Nikki Usher (University of San Diego), Sofia Verza (Centre for Media Pluralism and Freedom). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier.  Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/newsletters/

More than three billion people will go to the polls in more than 80 countries this year, and public service media will be on the frontline for many of them. But at a time when democracy finds itself on increasingly threatened ground, with rising authoritarianism, apathy, and mis- and dis-information, how does PSM plan to cover them?   In this latest episode of our podcast, Media Uncovered, we speak to GBC in Ghana, which is trying to reach as many remote communities as possible amid budget pressures, while creating mechanisms to maintain its accuracy; we're in Brussels, looking at how various journalists and broadcasters are covering the European elections; and we ask PTS Taiwan if there's any lessons from their experience in January.   Presenter: Jamie Tahana. Correspondents: Charlotte Pion & Harry Lock. Guests: Amin Alhassan (GBC), Valentina Vasileva (VOA), Pascal Albrechtskirchinger (ZDF), Joosep Värk (ERR), Prof. Ike Picone (VUB), Ching Ching Hai (RTI). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson. SFX: TripleX

On 1 March, Argentina's new president, Javier Milei, stood up in Congress and announced the closure of Télam, the country's national news agency. Come Monday morning, Télam's headquarters were bordered up and guarded by police. No workers were allowed in. So why is Argentina's public media sector being targeted? What has led to the closure of the news agency putting 700 jobs at risk, as well as further threats to privatise the national TV and radio broadcasters as well?  In this episode, we explore the history of the public media sector across Latin American, and specifically in Argentina, as we analyse what has brought us to this moment now. And we examine what impact might the closure of public media mean for the country's broader news ecosystem.  Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Dr Rodrigo Gomez (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa), Tomás Eliaschev, (Télam & SiPreBA), Natali Schejtman (University of Torcuato Di Tella). Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still & Tom Brazier. SFX: Somos Télam & Pixabay. 

To celebrate World Radio Day 2024, our podcast examines this year's theme: "Radio: A century informing, educating and entertaining".  While radio has changed perhaps beyond all recognition since its inception, the three fundamental pillars of radio – and particularly public radio – remain as relevant and necessary today as ever. To explore this, we take a look at each pillar one by one, and speak to a different radio station about each one.  Tackling entertainment, we speak with ABC's youth radio station, Triple J, on how they continue to reach and entertain young audiences. We travel to northern Norway to speak to NRK Sápmi, on how their content seeks to educate audiences – new and existing. And we finish in Barbados, speaking to Starcom Network Inc, on how their portfolio of radio stations inform audiences in the modern, digital age. We also talked to three leaders of public radio associations about the future of radio networks, the challenges they face, and the opportunities available in different regions of the world.   Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Kristian Porter (PMA), Edita Kudláčová (EBU), Sonia Gill (CBU), Anthony Greene (Stardom Network Inc), Johan Ailo Kalstad (NRK Sápmi), and Lachlan Macara (ABC).  Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier.  More World Radio Day content: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/radio-the-trusted-guide-in-a-changing-world/ https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/world-radio-days-a-century-of-informing-educating-entertaining/      

With CBC/Radio-Canada publishing their first ever National Indigenous Strategy, we take a look at public media's role in serving, reflecting and representing Indigenous Peoples – both on and off screen.  We examine how public media historically have treated, reported on, and engaged with Indigenous communities. We look at current efforts by broadcasters including NITV, RNZ and NRK Sápmi to reach and connect with Indigenous audiences in meaningful and engaging ways.  And we explore CBC/Radio-Canada's new strategy – what difference will it actually make? And will audiences notice a difference? Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Johan Ailo Kalstad (NRK Sápmi), Tanya Denning-Orman (SBS / NITV), Robert Doane (CBC/Radio-Canada), Mirta Lourenco (UNESCO), Catherine Tait (CBC/Radio-Canada). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier.  Find out more about CBC/Radio-Canada's strategy > https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/cbc-radio-canada-launches-first-ever-national-indigenous-strategy-and-establishes-new-indigenous-office/.  With thanks to: NRK, SBS, RNZ, CBC/Radio-Canada for additional materials. 

What has the impact of the digital age been on public service media? What challenges has it thrown up? How have public media adapted? What opportunities does increasing digital connectivity throw up for public media entities?  In this one-on-one conversation with the Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Nic Newman, we explore how the digital age gives public media access to young audiences, how it has presented financial challenges, and how it has impacted the entire media ecosystem.  Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Nic Newman (Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism) Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still.  Links: Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism Digital News Report 2023: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023 PMA Global Grants 2024: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/resources/grants-opportunities/pma-global-grant/.

Speaking to three public broadcasters from three continents, we explore how public service media provide language services, why they're so vital, and what difference they make, from the provision of critical lifesaving information, to the upholding of Indigenous cultures and languages. But language services face challenges – particularly when it comes to reaching the audiences, and getting the funding to provide the quality of service you need.  Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Stanley Similo (NBC); Vicky Eluq (RTM); Bakel Walden (SRG SSR).  Reporter: Desilon Daniels (PMA). Special thanks to Menesia Muinjo and Bianca Gowases of NBC for the vox pops.  Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still and Tom Brazier. 

Over the past couple of episodes, we've been examining the relationship between public media and social media. In this episode – the final episode of this mini series – we're asking how can we regulate social media? How can we ensure a more balanced media ecosystem, where media organisations are financially viable, publicly visible and accessible, and where mis- and disinformation is controlled? Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Pascal Albrechtskirchinger (ZDF), Helen Jay (University of Westminster), Courtney C. Radsch, David Sutton (ABC). Reporter: Desilon Daniels (PMA).  Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still and Tom Brazier.  Special effects: Studio Kolomna, Microsammy and pixabay. 

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. What do these issues tell us about what it means for public service media to be on social media? And when the mission and values that govern social media are so different to that of public media, can public service media survive on these platforms? Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Jean-Paul Philippot (RTBF), Christian Gillinger (Swedish Radio), Courtney C. Radsch, and Philippe Edmond and Anne-Sophie Letellier (CBC/Radio-Canada). 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.  To sign up for PMA's newsletter, register here: https://publicmediaalliance.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=10c1d221c063ad7f5a74c1705&id=37dcbeb45c

This is a special episode released to mark UNESCO World Radio Day. This year the theme is based around "Radio and Peace". 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?  Presenter: Chloe Howcroft; Editor: Harry Lock; Guests: Léa Nogier, Tae Inui, Dr Jens Müller, and Mohamed Arif Islam; Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still & Tom Brazier. 

How does public media ensure it's connected with its audience, being trusted, providing value, and remaining relevant? This episode looks at how Swedish Radio is using technology to advance these goals. Presented: Harry Lock. Interviewees: Cilla Benkö (Swedish Radio), Chloe Howcroft (PMA), and Jenny Johnsson Roos (Swedish Radio). Music: Tom Brazier, Lucas Thompson & Rachel Still. 

An examination of three countries which show how changes in government can often mean drastic changes for public media organisations. Presented: Harry Lock. Guests: Carolina Barreto, Helena Milinkovic, and Terry Flew. Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still, Tom Brazier.

A panel examining the varied threats facing journalism. Presented by CBC/Radio-Canada. Moderator: Hannah Storm. Edited: Harry Lock. Guests: Joyce Adeluwoye-Adams MBE (Reuters), Margaret Evans (CBC), Isabella Higgins (ABC), Mike Wendling (BBC). Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still, Tom Brazier.

A panel session exploring the dangers journalists face online, and how they can stay safe. Presented by Desilon Daniels. Edited by Harry Lock. Guests: Joe Hill, Lucy Westcott, and Nicolle White (ABC). Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still and Tom Brazier.

Could embracing digital media be the key to preserving public media's relevance to society and to democracy? Edited & Presented by Harry Lock. Guests: Marius Dragomir & Paul Thompson. Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still and Tom Brazier.

How have the past 100 years of public media led to today? What are the struggles public media faces today? Edited & presented by Harry Lock. Interviewees: PMA's CEO, Sally-Ann Wilson & PMA's deputy CEO, Kristian Porter. Music by Lucas Thompson & Rachel Still.