Public Broadcasting?

The question comes up frequently enough: "What does this site have to do with public broadcasting? I mean sure, there is a list of public broadcasters, but other than that..."

First I'll start with the Wikipedia definition:

"Public broadcasting is a form of public service broadcasting (PSB) intended to serve the diverse needs of the viewing or listening public. Except for the United States, it has traditionally been the dominant form of broadcasting in much of the world."

For generations this has meant television and radio broadcasting, the CBC in Canada, PBS in the U.S., BBC in Britain, ABC in Australia, etc., but the internet is broadening both the definition and the possibilities of public broadcasting. Anyone with a computer, an internet connection and a little basic knowledge can now make their voice heard around the world. So the shift is on from 'broadcasting for the public' to 'broadcasting by and for the public' - hopefully with some help and cooperation from the older, more traditional public broadcasters. Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa has some interesting thoughts in this area.

Regardless of what traditional broadcasters do, the shift is on. Even Time Magazine sat up and took notice, proclaiming "You" the person of the year

"...for seizing the reins of the global media, for founding and framing the new digital democracy, for working for nothing and beating the pros at their own game, TIME's Person of the Year for 2006 is you.

So, public broadcasting's definition must be changed to broadcasting for OR by the public.

I should also add that broadcasting "for" the public is different from broadcasting for advertisers. Most of what you see on television is broadcasting for advertisers - that is, the advertisers are the customer, you are the product. Commercial broadcasters use programming to lure you to their airwaves and then sell the eyes and ears they have gathered to advertisers. This throws us into a gray area: Can public broadcasters do commercial broadcasting? Obviously they can and do. If you watch "the Simpsons" on the CBC you are not the customer. Commercial broadcasters do public (or public service) broadcasting? They can, and they used to. US programs like 20/20 and 60 minutes used to be primarily a public service (before nearly every journalistic organization in the United States sold their credibility and went after more cash). But I think most people know the difference between commercial and public broadcasting when they see or hear it.

So this site is "for" the public - to share, spread and disseminate ideas, and to promote Canadian arts and culture. As you will note if you have a look around, there is no advertising, that makes you the one and only customer.