Abstract
This study critically discusses public value theory and its validity in explaining impacts on principles and remit of Public Service Media (PSM) as it transitions into the digital era.
Firstly, it theorizes on the concept of “public value” and presents some scholarly debates around the concept’s approach to measurement and funding as applied to the media industry. It asks whether PSM validly and evidently generates both economic value and societal welfare.
Secondly, a case study analysis of Austria’s Public Service Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) reflects how the Austrian PSM is coping with the current transformation of public service broadcasting through means of its public value “TransFORM” project.
While the theoretical development of the still young concept of “public value” has come a long way, considerable work remains for it to be embedded as a stable construct in the field. The case study reveals key dilemmas in delivering the promises of PSM’s contribution to society.
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Notes
- 1.
Items in italics are written in big letters in the report to signify its importance.
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Murschetz, P.C., Frantz, E., Alm, N. (2023). Public Value for Public Service Media? A Case Study Analysis of Austria’s ORF. In: Weder, F., Rademacher, L., Schmidpeter, R. (eds) CSR Communication in the Media. CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18976-0_5
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