Evaluation of Public Service Broadcasting
June 2006 - The evaluation examined the relevance and effectiveness of UNESCO’s strategies and capacity-building activities, the extent of collaboration and strategic alliances built with broadcasting unions and regional broadcasting organizations, and results achieved.
Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is broadcasting made, financed and controlled by the public, for the public. It is neither commercial nor state-owned; it is free from political interference and pressure from commercial forces. Through PSB, citizens are informed, educated and also entertained. When guaranteed pluralism, programming diversity, editorial independence, appropriate funding, accountability and transparency, public service broadcasting can serve as a cornerstone of democracy. UNESCO’s action in PSB is in line with the New Communication Strategy, adopted by the General Conference in 1989, and has the following objectives: (i) to encourage the free flow of information, at international as well as national levels; (ii) to promote wider and better balanced dissemination of information; and (iii) to strengthen communication capacities of communities in order to increase their participation in the communication process.
The evaluation team reviewed more than 100 relevant documents; held 55 interviews in Afghanistan, India, Thailand and Headquarters; administered a semi-structured questionnaire; and developed a case study on UNESCO’s recent experience supporting PSB in Afghanistan. A Steering Committee of key UNESCO managers was established to further support the evaluation and enhance the eventual use of the findings for programme improvement.
Download a copy of the evaluation report in portable document format (pdf).
Image : © UNESCO/Webistan - Proof reading Kabul Weekly, the first independent Afghan news paper supported by the association Aïna, UNESCO and Reporters sans frontières
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