Media Uncovered Public Media Alliance

On 1 March, Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, stood up in Congress and announced the closure of Télam, the country’s national news agency. Come Monday morning, Télam’s headquarters were bordered up and guarded by police. No workers were allowed in.

So why is Argentina’s public media sector being targeted? What has led to the closure of the news agency, amid further threats to privatise the national TV and radio broadcasters? 

In this episode, we explore the turbulent history of the public media sector across Latin American. Specifically in Argentina, we analyse what has brought us to this current moment. We examine what impact might the closure of public media mean for the country’s broader news ecosystem. And we discuss what needs to happen next to protect and bolster public media for the future.

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Dr Rodrigo Gomez (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa), Tomás Eliaschev, (Télam & SiPreBA), Natali Schejtman (University of Torcuato Di Tella).

Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still & Tom Brazier. SFX: Somos Télam & Pixabay.

To celebrate World Radio Day 2024, our podcast examines this year’s theme: ”Radio: A century informing, educating and entertaining”. 

While radio has changed perhaps beyond all recognition since its inception, the three fundamental pillars of radio – and particularly public radio – remain as relevant and necessary today as ever. To explore this, we take a look at each pillar one by one, and speak to a different radio station about each one. 

Tackling entertainment, we speak with ABC’s youth radio station, Triple J, on how they continue to reach and entertain young audiences. We travel to northern Norway to speak to NRK Sápmi, on how their content seeks to educate audiences – new and existing. And we finish in Barbados, speaking to Starcom Network Inc, on how their portfolio of radio stations inform audiences in the modern, digital age.

We also talked to three leaders of public radio associations about the future of radio networks, the challenges they face, and the opportunities available in different regions of the world.  

Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Kristian Porter (PMA), Edita Kudláčová (EBU), Sonia Gill (CBU), Anthony Greene (Stardom Network Inc), Johan Ailo Kaldo (NRK Sápmi), and Lachlan Macara (ABC). 

Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier. 

More World Radio Day content:

https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/radio-the-trusted-guide-in-a-changing-world/

https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/world-radio-days-a-century-of-informing-educating-entertaining/

With CBC/Radio-Canada publishing their first ever National Indigenous Strategy, we take a look at public media’s role in serving, reflecting and representing Indigenous audiences – both on and off screen. 

We examine how public media historically have treated, reported on, and engaged with Indigenous communities. We look at current efforts by broadcasters including NITV, RNZ and NRK Sápmi to reach and connect with Indigenous audiences in meaningful and engaging ways. 

And we explore CBC/Radio-Canada’s new strategy – what difference will it actually make? And will audiences notice a difference?

Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Johan Ailo Kaldo (NRK Sápmi), Tanya Denning-Orman (SBS / NITV), Robert Doane (CBC/Radio-Canada), Mirta Lourenco (UNESCO), Catherine Tait (CBC/Radio-Canada). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier. 

Find out more about CBC/Radio-Canada’s strategy ＞ https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/cbc-radio-canada-launches-first-ever-national-indigenous-strategy-and-establishes-new-indigenous-office/. 

With thanks to: NRK, SBS, RNZ, CBC/Radio-Canada for additional materials.

What has the impact of the digital age been on public service media? What challenges has it thrown up? How have public media adapted? What opportunities does increasing digital connectivity throw up for public media entities? 

In this one-on-one conversation with the Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Nic Newman, we explore how the digital age gives public media access to young audiences, how it has presented financial challenges, and how it has impacted the entire media ecosystem. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Nic Newman (Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism)

Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still. 

Links: Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism Digital News Report 2023: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023

PMA Global Grants 2024:

What has the impact of the digital age been on public service media? What challenges has it thrown up? How have public media adapted? What opportunities does increasing digital connectivity throw up for public media entities? 

In this one-on-one conversation with the Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Nic Newman, we explore how the digital age gives public media access to young audiences, how it has presented financial challenges, and how it has impacted the entire media ecosystem. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guest: Nic Newman (Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism)

Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still. 

Links: Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism Digital News Report 2023: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023

PMA Global Grants 2024: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/resources/grants-opportunities/pma-global-grant/.

Speaking to three public broadcasters from three continents, we explore how public service media provide language services, why they’re so vital, and what difference they make, from the provision of critical lifesaving information, to the upholding of Indigenous cultures and languages. But language services face challenges – particularly when it comes to reaching the audiences, and getting the funding to provide the quality of service you need. 

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Stanley Similo (NBC); Vicky Eluq (RTM); Bakel Walden (SRG SSR).  Reporter: Desilon Daniels (PMA). Special thanks to Menesia Muinjo and Bianca Gowases of NBC for the vox pops. 

Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still and Tom Brazier.

Over the past couple of episodes, we’ve been examining the relationship between public media and social media. In this episode – the final episode of this mini series – we’re asking how can we regulate social media? From news media bargaining codes to the

European Media Freedom Act, we explore what’s being considered by legislators around the world, and whether it’s enough.

Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Pascal Albrechtskirchinger (ZDF), Helen Jay (University of Westminster), Courtney C. Radsch, David Sutton (ABC). Reporter: Desilon Daniels (PMA). Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still and Tom Brazier. Special effects: Studio Kolomna, Microsammy and pixabay.