Public Broadcasting in Europe: Rationale, Licence Fee and Other Issues

Authors: O'Hagan J.; Jennings M.

Source: Journal of Cultural Economics, Volume 27, Number 1, February 2003 , pp. 31-56(26)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This paper deals with some key issues arising in the current debate in Europe over public sector broadcasting (PSB). It asks what is understood by PSB and examines critically the arguments for PSB. The latter is done under five headings, namely diversity, democracy/equality, network externalities, innovation and investment and public braodcasting as ``insurance''. The paper then provides some statistical analysis of the extent, funding and programme mix of Eurepean PSB. Finally it examines in some detail the issues surrounding the licence fee as an instrument for funding PSB. These include the determination of the level of the fee, collection costs and evasion and the fairness of the instrument.

Keywords: licence fee; programme diversity; public sector broadcasting

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Publication date: 2003-02-01