Public Television in Crisis: Critiques Compared in Norway and Britain

Abstract

Despite profound similarities in the crises of public broadcasting policy in various European countries, the forces at play are different in each national setting. This article examines the debates in Norway and Britain and points to ways in which the public television institutions have responded to various demands. The sheer scale of the British broadcasting system has enabled it to meet wider demands and thus gain support from more television viewers. At the same time, however, the political criticisms of public service broadcasting have also been stronger in Britain. While some influences have waned, the challenges from the state and the Conservative Party remain. In Norway, by contrast, there is deeper support for `statist' solutions, despite the rise of right-wing political sentiments. For both countries, however, few critical camps are resolutely in favour of abolishing public service institutions. Indeed, one can argue that a `negative alliance' is emerging between various factions, united by a common distaste for the privatization of public communication. Despite the inherent weaknesses in alliances containing a mass of conflicting interests, they offer the best hope for public broadcasting.