Press Release
New Research Highlights Value of Public Media
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
NEW YORK -- With funding for public broadcasting under attack in Washington, a new report shows how the rest of the world has successfully supported vibrant public media systems.
In a panel discussion Tuesday, Feb. 15, Rodney Benson and Matthew Powers of New York University, authors of Public Media and Political Influence, will examine the ways that government can promote quality, independent journalism.
Panelists:
In their study of public media systems in 14 countries, Benson and Powers analyze how these countries fund public media and ensure their autonomy. Public media in these countries are legally protected from partisan political interference, guaranteeing journalistic independence. As a result, public media – television, radio, newspapers and online news – typically provide more and higher quality public affairs coverage and a wider range of viewpoints, and are more critical of government than their commercial media counterparts.
Public media in the United States are consistently rated among the most trusted media sources in public opinion surveys. Yet the U.S. public media system is among the poorest in the world: Per capita public funding of PBS and NPR is less than $4, compared to $30 to $130 per capita invested by countries like Germany, Canada, Sweden and Great Britain.
The event is co-sponsored by Free Press, New America Foundation, NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Media, Culture and Communication and the Social Science Research Council.
Reporters interested in attending the event should RSVP to Jenn Ettinger, jettinger@freepress.net.
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Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
In a panel discussion Tuesday, Feb. 15, Rodney Benson and Matthew Powers of New York University, authors of Public Media and Political Influence, will examine the ways that government can promote quality, independent journalism.
- Event: Public Media and Political Influence: Lessons for the Future of Journalism from Around the World
- Date: Feb. 15, 2011
- Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., preceding reception begins at 5:30 p.m.
- Location: 20 Cooper Square, New York, NY, NYU, Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, 7th floor commons
- Presenters: Rodney Benson and Matthew Powers, NYU Department of Media, Culture, and Communication
Panelists:
- Emily Bell, Director, Columbia University Tow Center for Digital Journalism
- Ellen Goodman, Professor of Law, Rutgers University – Camden
- Vince Stehle, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
- Hartmut Wessler, Professor, University of Mannheim Department of Communication
In their study of public media systems in 14 countries, Benson and Powers analyze how these countries fund public media and ensure their autonomy. Public media in these countries are legally protected from partisan political interference, guaranteeing journalistic independence. As a result, public media – television, radio, newspapers and online news – typically provide more and higher quality public affairs coverage and a wider range of viewpoints, and are more critical of government than their commercial media counterparts.
Public media in the United States are consistently rated among the most trusted media sources in public opinion surveys. Yet the U.S. public media system is among the poorest in the world: Per capita public funding of PBS and NPR is less than $4, compared to $30 to $130 per capita invested by countries like Germany, Canada, Sweden and Great Britain.
The event is co-sponsored by Free Press, New America Foundation, NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Media, Culture and Communication and the Social Science Research Council.
Reporters interested in attending the event should RSVP to Jenn Ettinger, jettinger@freepress.net
###
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
