NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
The Role of Public Service Broadcasting in UK and Spain Today Public service broadcasting in UK and Spain play very significant role in peoples social education today. In this research we are going to examine the core responsibilities of the public service industry and its current state of development particularly in two countries: Spain and Britain. During the whole 20 th Century Spain was experiencing great economical and political changes. The changes took place in all the areas of the states operations including the media industry, which includes the branch of public service broadcasting. From the victory in the civil war in 1939 until the mid 1940 s, its totalitarian aspirations, its association with Hitler and Mussolini, and the regency of the war led to harsh repression, the presence of military officials among its governing elite, and efforts to establish a powerful quasi-fascist party.
The regime during the 1950 s was quite different: totalitarian aspirations abandoned, the party and its ideology were progressively watered down; and international isolation, stark poverty and an attempt to implement an autarchic economic development strategy had far-reaching effects on society. Over the following decade, however, the complete abandonment of economic autarchy contributed to one of the most rapid and sustained rates of economic growth in the world (7. 3 percent between 1961 and 1973, second only to Japan) (Gunter 1980, 63), transforming Spain into a relatively modern, affluent, urban society, and forging ever closer social and economic links with the rest of Europe. This socioeconomic modernization was accompanied by additional political changes, most significantly, the virtual disappearance of the official party as a significant political actor, and the making of most government decisions by new, technocratic elite. Limited as these changes may have been, however, they had a significant impact on the communications media. Totalitarian and authoritarian regimes do not differ greatly with regard to control of the communications media (Linz 1974, 1496 - 7). Despite the gradual disappearance of the regimes totalitarian features in the 1940 s, its press restrictions did not change significantly.
With some variations, these same policies were applied to radio and, beginning in the 1950 s, to television. Only during the final ten years of franquismo were privately owned newspapers able to benefit from some liberalization, enabling them to play an important role in the crucial period immediately preceding the death of Franco and throughout the democratic transition. Strict government control of radio, television and the state-owned press, however, remained unchanged throughout the life of the regime. The Press Law Of 1938: Censorship and Orders the basic framework for the franquist regimes communications policy was established by the Press Law of 1938. Although established on a provisional basis during the civil war, it remained in effect for nearly three decades. Its markedly totalitarian provisions were modeled after fascist legislation enacted in Italy in 1923 (Terron 2000).
The law required state authorization for publications of any kind, and provided for the suspension of any publication without appeal. In addition, it enabled the state to intervene in the appointment and dismissal of newspaper managers and editors, even in the case of the privately owned press. Journalists were under especially strict control. Many were purged following the civil war, and all had to be officially registered with the government, belong to specific associations, and submit their reports for daily inspection to eliminate any information regarded as harmful to the dictatorship (Negrene 2002). As with the print media, a 1939 decree (which would remain in effect for the next 38 years) established a system of prior censorship for all commercial radio broadcasts. Coverage of general news, both national and international, was reserved exclusively for the official network, Radio Nacional de Espana (RNE).
Private-sector broadcasters were required to retransmit RNE news broadcasts twice each day. In general, radio did not undergo the same liberalization that the print media enjoyed under Fragas reforms of the mid 1960 s. The structure of radio broadcasting, however, did change considerably, mainly to consolidate and regulate the explosive and seemingly chaotic expansion of the 1960 s. In 1963, there were 471 broadcasting stations throughout the country (over four times the number of two decades earlier), 71 percent of which lacked the requisite broadcasting licenses (Multigner 1997, 274 - 5). Thus, radio was not in position to play a significant role in liberalizing Spanish society or initiating the political transition. The incompatibility between Fragas press liberalization and a continuation of authoritarian rule had become increasingly apparent by the early 1970 s.
A growing segment of newspapers and magazines took advantage of Fragas partial liberalization by expanding the informational content of their news reporting, adopting a new language of cautious (sometimes coded) political discourse, reporting on the increasingly frequent internal conflicts and external developments that weakened the regimes hold on power. Some private radio stations behaved similarly, breaking the news monopoly that had been granted to the official RNE (Multigner 1997, 430). One particularly interesting and politically significant practice was to use international news events as vehicles for the education of Spaniards about the workings and merits of democratic politics, and prospects for political change 9. While clashes between political ideologies or the basic nature of parliamentary democracy could not be openly discussed with specific reference to Spain, press coverage of elections or parliamentary struggles in Italy, France or Britain was relatively free from censorship, and thus could be used to teach Spaniards about the underpinnings of democratic politics.
The higher levels of affluence and long traditions of democratic stability of Spain's European neighbors enhanced their attractiveness as models for emulation (Multigner 1997). Therefore within the conceptual standpoint we can conclude that public service broadcasting experienced some great changes leading us to what we have now in contemporary Spain. The trends in both of the countries that we are examining show a great tendency towards the development of digital broadcasting. In the 20 th century the advance of technology has been fundamental in the way we live our lives today. The recent introduction of Digital Broadcasting to Great Britain has caused many technologists to become swept up in a sense of awed enthusiasm about the infinite possibilities of the new digital age. In its early stages digital broadcasting is only available to a minority and it will take ten years or so to become a new way of life.
Digital Broadcasting has thousands of new services to offer its viewers and listeners. Instead of pictures and sound being transformed into waves, the new technology turns them into a series of digits which are transmitted through the air and received by television or radio aerials. Digital Broadcasting is more efficient than analogue, giving space for six channels where analogue would give you one. The fear of change is as great as 77 years ago when broadcasting began.
The digital age brings risks as well as opportunities. The risk that globalization of culture may threaten national identities; that the powerful gateway controllers may restrain rather than promote diversity; the risk of a possible two class society; the information rich, ready an able to pay for their increasingly expensive media, and the information poor who cannot. Are these threats true to life? How could this be avoided? The introduction of digital broadcasting has followed a similar pattern to the advent of broadcasting itself 77 years ago by its gradual availability to all. In 1922 the British Broadcasting Company was founded.
Owned by a consortium of radio manufacturers Peter Eckersley one of the companys first employees said, The BBC was formed as an expedient solution to a technical problem. (ECKERSLEY, 1922, pg. 112) The government had decided that there was going to be no radio free for all. Led by 33 year old John Reith the BBC set to work at inventing broadcasting. The BBC was set up as a public service, meaning that the provision should be public goods rather than of a private commodity. Funding the public service was decided when it was felt that advertising could limit the number of programs broadcast.
Therefore to move away from the governments intervention a license fee paid for by the owners of radios sets would mean money could be reinvested into the research and development of the service. Advertising was ruled out by the Sykes Committee of 1923 because of the detrimental effect it had on programs in America. The tradition of the BBC as a public service also brought high mindedness to the pioneers of broadcasting, who felt that the broadcasting was their unique privilege. In the early stages of the BBC John Reith was not alone in his uneasiness with popular culture, therefore in the first 25 years of broadcasting a pull in both directions was noticeable between what the public wanted and want they ought to want. Reith's bureaucratic Iron Fisted approached molded the BBC into a unique character whose long time monopoly created a national institution for Britain. After developing as a small series of regional networks, the BBC became primarily a national broadcaster.
The people of Britain were brought together and radio became an everyday part of British life. The past twenty years have seen many changes in British Broadcasting, breakfast television, tele-text and live television have all arrived. Quality of sound and picture has been a major technical development. New terrestrial channels such as Channel 4 and Channel 5 have brought a greater choice for the viewer and the ever increasing influx of new independent radio stations like Virgin 1215 and Talk Radio have challenged the Bbc's long time monopoly. The BBC itself introduced Radio 5, and then re-launched it to become a 24 hour news and sports station called Radio Five Live.
The advance of technology in the last ten years has brought the British public more choice. Sky and Cable broadcasting companies have been offering a wider range of programs on and anything, originally un-regulated the massive scale of choice brought new sources of entertainment. The introduction of digital television will eventually see a change in Public Service Broadcasting but not the end. Digital has brought its doubters and skeptics but surely this change will be good for the audience, but will it be good for the BBC? The new ideal for Public Service Broadcasting that enters the new millennium is similar to a large menu. Unlike the old Reithian values set out at the beginning where an audience was given a service that was selected for them, the paying viewer can select a specific program or genre of their choice at any time.
Therefore broadcasting becomes a different type of public service, creating a pay per view system which offers a world wide choice. The BBC throughout its 77 year history has been committed to Public Service, its role as digital broadcaster is one that can safeguard national culture by expressing a range of British talent across a world wide stage as well as a UK one. It can encourage diversity by bringing a range of new services and an extended choice in greater depth. The most important way it can offer quality is by its unique way of being funded, the license fee is mandatory for television ownership therefore its annual intake is guaranteed. As we move into the millennium we are becoming ever increasingly dependent on computers.
A digital television picture is an additional component to our everyday PC, it is offering us a new facility for our computers but it is also updating our televisions by turning them into computers. Our 21 st century technological wizardry is trying to make our lives as easy as possible by letting the viewer do everything from the touch of a button in front of a large screen that used to be called a television. John Reith's initial Public Service Broadcasting idea has moved on in time. Firstly it was changed when ITV was introduced, since then it has been reformed with the introduction of the ITC and is now in touch with societies needs. Reith ruled the BBC in those early days with an Iron Fist a lot like Rupert Murdoch has ruled his BSkyB Company, though a quest for world media domination was not what Reith had in mind. Public Service Broadcasting has moved with the times, but the advent of new technology and better services is the main reason behind changes in viewing patterns.
Viewers can now watch many different things at the same time, one persons idea of entertainment is now more likely to be different to another, Digital Broadcasting solves this problem by giving something more. Bibliography: Berger, Arthur. Media Analysis Techniques, 2 nd Edition, London: Books Asa, 1998. Multigner, James. Power Without Responsibility Seaton: Jean London, 1997. Fiske, John.
Television Culture London: Rutledge, 1997. Lewis, Lisa. The Adoring Audience London: Rutledge. 2003. Negrene, Ralph. Politics and the Mass Media London: Rutledge 2002. O Sullivan, Tim.
Key Concepts in Communication Studies London; Rutledge, 2000. Price, Stuart. Media Studies Harlow; Rutledge, 1993. Gunter, Mark. Development of Spain's Broadcasting Infrastructure, New York: Viking Press, 1980. Strinati, Dominic.
Popular Media Culture London: Longman, 1992. Tulloch, Sarah Complete Word Finder Oxford: Rutledge 1996. Linz, Claus. Challenges in Media, Vintage Books, 1974. Readers Digest Websites BBC Digital web Pay TV Company British Digital Broadcasting... web web Periodicals Put Quality 1 st, Smith to warn BBC Daily Mail - Monday 12 April 1999 Sky Facts 1999 British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC Terron, Gustavo.
Totalitarian Approach, from Ontario Statesman Magazine, issue April 2000.
Free research essays on topics related to: early stages, british broadcasting, privately owned, public service, 20 th century
Research essay sample on 20 Th Century Privately Owned
