1. Circom Regional Conference Liverpool May 2005
News
(and Public Service Media in general)
Under Pressure
Christian S. Nissen
© christiannissen.com

2. The controversial balance
Public service media
Government & Parliament
They are behaving completely out of control as if they were “a state within the state”
Hey!
They are moving in on us
Accountability
In service of society
Balanced coverage
“Responsibility” to- ward authorities
Autonomy
Editorial independence
No political ties
Credibility
Trustworthiness
© christiannissen.com

3. A: The one side of the coin:
A: The one side of the coin: Why is the principle of editorial autonomy so important?
The Civil Rights are basically a protection of the citizens against the state.
“Freedom of the press” and “Free speech”
are basic elements of pluralistic democracy.
Fundamental principles for any media
For public media these principles are even more important:
Public media has a special role as a “watch dog”
Editorial state control is a threat to civic society and democracy.
and it will erode any trustworthiness and credibility of public media. ?
© christiannissen.com

4. But what about ”our own” media, the PSB !
B: The coin has another side: A changing pattern of political communication - as seen by many politicians.
- And a hostile press constantly attacking, criticising and distorting their motives
But what about ”our own” media, the PSB !
The press
50 years ago the political parties had their own newspapers securing a direct channel to their constituencies.
Today they experience a kind of communicative “wall” coming in between.
”Spindoctors” and other defence/offence tools are introduced.
© christiannissen.com

5. A troublesome “dialogue”.
”Those who pay the orchestra must have the right to decide the tune!”
No Way!
Don’t forget the fundamental principles!
I am the one, who decides!
The politician
Looking at PSB as a tool of political communication and public relation
The Director General
Defending the editorial autonomy (or his own right to decide?)
© christiannissen.com

6. Some examples in recent years from Denmark:
In recent years members in government (probably advised by their spindoctors) more and more often refuse to go on screen in a news programme in controversial matters.
During the Iraq war (Spring 2003) DR was heavily criticised by government for its coverage. Both in public and through more covert channels (i.e. board members contacting the GD).
Individual DR journalists have been attacked publicly by board members and members of parliament.
DR requested by political parties to come up with statistics “of party representations” in different kinds of programmes.
The managing board of DR has been accused by members of government of “being old communists who in the 1980’ties had close contacts to the old regimes of Eastern Europe”.
In the autumn 2004 the GD was fired on somehow dubious reasons (politics being probably one of them). Followed by the resignation of the chairman of the Board.
© christiannissen.com

7. The methods of political influence and pressure:
Self imposed censorship
Limiting the funding.
Setting strings to it.
Setting up limiting “PSB contracts”
Appointing the managing board.
Direct intervention in programming (a “phone call”)
Threats and “good advice”.
”I better make the message look different”
But here you have the ”Stonewall Jackson”
of Public Media
The politician
Looking at PSB as a tool of political communication and public relation
The Director General
How can he/she react ?
© christiannissen.com

8. The European Director Generals under political pressure: A typology.
There is no
standard
defence
or general “fits all”
way of handling
political pressure.
But many good
reasons why
one must think
twice before
taking action!
The courageous “kamikaze GDs”, who engage in hopeless counter attacks.
- and his college,
jumping out looking for a better place
Others appeal to higher justice.
- and those who shout back and make a lot of “noise”
Some are just carrying on with their work as if nothing happens.
And suddenly……..!
You can also find the silent GDs who just don’t know what to do - and try to control their temper
There are those, who don’t take notice at all.
- Before it’s too late!
© christiannissen.com

9. The Director General under political pressure, considering what to do
But -
You might win a battle by good tactics
- seldom a war !
For that you need a long term policy and a pact with the audience.
What am I defending ?
- My own personal position
- or core values of PSB
A flexible response, winning time without giving up any important positions?
Drawing “a line in the sand” – and preparing for the consequences.
Making “counter-alliances” in the political environment.
Giving notice of resignation – or threatening to do so.
Resigning!
The Director General
considering what to do
- and what the consequences of different actions will be.
© christiannissen.com

10. - Bon voyage ! Some PSB’s are well in position,
Others have a long way to go.
- Bon voyage !
Thank you for your attention