Public Service Broadcasting and Media Systems in Troubled European Democracies

This book provides the most recent overview of media systems in Europe. It explores new political, economic and technological environments and the challenges they pose to democracies and informed citizens. It also examines the new illiberal environment that has quickly embraced certain European states and its impact on media systems, considering the sources and possible consequences of these challenges for media industries and media professionals.

Part I examines the evolving role of public service media in a comparative study of Western, Southern and Central Europe, whilst Part II ventures into Europe’s periphery, where media continues to be utilised by the state in its quest for power. The book also provides an insight into the role of the European Union in preserving the independence and neutrality of public service media. It will be useful to students and researchers of political communication and international and comparative media, as well as democracy and populism.

Eva Polonska is a Research Fellow at the Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.

Charlie Beckett is the founding director of POLIS, UK, the think-tank for research and debate in international journalism and society. He was a programme editor at ITN's Channel 4 News and a senior producer and programme editor at BBC News and Current affairs for ten years.