Media Uncovered

36. How has gaming become public media's new frontier?

Roblox is a gaming platform that has over 150 million daily users, according to its own data. With over 50 percent of those users under the age of 17, it's perhaps not a surprise that public media are looking to such a platform as an opportunity to reach an audience group they are otherwise struggling to engage with. But what does such an offering look like? In this episode, we speak to those who are at the centre of public media's venture into the gaming sphere. We look at the sort of products that are being designed, from entire universes, to livestream characters. And we look at some of the thornier questions that come with such work, around online safety for young users. Plus, we consider whether such spaces might ever be an opportunity for news and journalism... Guests: Wesa Aapro, Yle; Robin Rymenans, Future Media Hubs; Yang Lee, PTS Taiwan. Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Charlotte Pion. Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson & Tom Brazier. Additional credit: SRG. -- Sign up for our newsletter

35. How do public media host major events?

Every year, there’s the major political events that draw the attention… the ones where world leaders from politics, finance, technology – and all the other consequential industries – converge in a single location, to discuss the great geopolitical issues of the day. Such events are essential news stories for media institutions, ensuring the decisions being made – or sometimes, are not being made – are being conveyed to their audience back home. After all, the decisions made in those corridors of power affect billions of people and the world we live in. This episode explores what it means to be the host broadcaster, the challenges that come from it, the pressure to get it right, and why it’s a particularly important responsibility for public media. Guests: Nomsa Chabeli, Group CEO, SABC & Braulio Ribeiro, Director of Engineering and Operations, EBC. Presenter: Harry Lock. Music: Tom Brazier. -- Sign up for our newsletter Find out about our upcoming roundtable on Indigenous Archiving.

34. How can newsrooms support journalists' mental health?

Journalists are confronted with many threats, from being exposed to hostile environments – on the field or online – or through the continuous pressures that their job can entail. And these threats have a cost. And while the physical safety of journalists has been a major focus in the profession in the last 30 years, the impact the job can have on journalists' mental wellbeing has been overlooked. But is this now changing? This episode explores the different threats to journalists’ mental wellbeing and dives into the question of how newsroom leaders and news managers are addressing it in their organisations, and what forms of support have been put in place in the last few years. This episode comes off the back of the MediaStrong symposium for journalists' mental wellbeing, an initiative created by Leona O’Neill, which was co-curated by the Public Media Alliance and Safely Held Spaces. During this event, the MediaStrong Newsroom Wellbeing Charter was launched. Find out more here: https://sites.google.com/mediastrong.uk/mediastrong/sign-our-charter Guests: Aya Ibrahim from Deutsche Welle, Dave Seglins from CBC/Radio-Canada, Fran Unsworth from the International News Safety Institute and the founder of MediaStrong, Leona O’Neill. Presenter: Charlotte Pion. Music: Tom Brazier, Lucas Thompson & Rachel Still.

33. How do public media cover elections in 2025?

In early 2025, two major elections took place which bore a striking resemblance in their outcomes... the Canadian and Australian elections both saw wins for the left-leaning incumbents while both leaders of the opposition lost their seats. But what did these elections have in store for the two national public media organisations, tasked with covering these elections, and a responsibility to foster an informed citizenry when it comes to casting their vote? In this episode, we host a conversation with the two men tasked with leading the newsrooms for both the ABC and CBC. We examine the challenges when it comes to covering an election in 2025: from politicians unwilling to engage with public media to an audience with diverse needs and habits when it comes to getting news. We explore what new formats are being experimented with, such as explainers, watch-along broadcasts, and a nationwide radio marathon broadcast. And we ask: will there always be a future for the election night show? For more on ABC and CBC/Radio-Canada's coverage: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/public-media-covering-elections/ Guests: Justin Stevens, Director, News, ABC & Brodie Fenlon, General Manager & Editor-in-Chief, CBC News. Presenter: Harry Lock. Music: Tom Brazier.

32. What are the global media strategies of authoritarian states?

In the last episode, we looked at the continuing need for public service media that is international and independent, providing fact-based news and information to audiences around the globe. And one major challenge came through: the competition from the international media organisations of authoritarian states, namely Russia and China. In this episode, we hone in on China's media strategy overseas. We hear from an academic who has studied China's media strategy in the Pacific, where CCTV and China Radio International are butting up against ABC International and RNZ Pacific, while Chinese embassies are also investing heavily in local media & journalists. We consider what benefits the Chinese state is looking to get from these moves, in the Pacific, and elsewhere. And we also speak to both ABC International and RNZ Pacific about what impact it's having on them. Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Dr Denghua Zhang (ANU), Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor (RNZ Pacific), Claire Gorman (ABC International), Beverly Ochieng (Control Risks). Music: Tom Brazier, Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson.

31. Is there still a need for international public service media?

We speak to the two leaders of two major international public broadcasters, the BBC World Service and SwissInfo, about why they believe international public media is needed now more than ever. Undoubtedly, it's a difficult time to be an independent international public service media entity. Funding is precarious, the rise of big tech and how it fuels mis- and disinformation means it's a harder job, and the rise of China's and Russia's state media machines means there's now more competition. We discuss the challenges, and explore ways in which international public media can maintain its relevance in the world. We also unpick with an academic and author of a book about Trump and VOA, what's been happening to USAGM, and the wider impact this might have on the global information landscape. Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Larissa Bieler (SwissInfo), Jonathan Munro (BBC World Service), & Martin Scott (University of East Anglia). Music: Rachel Still & Lucas Thompson

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30. How are public broadcasters working with content creators?

Content creators are only becoming increasingly influential, and are able to access young audiences – an audience which public media traditionally finds very difficult to reach. So is there an opportunity for public media to work with content creators in mutually beneficial exchanges? In this episode, we look at two programmes being run by broadcasters where they are collaborating with content creators: the ABC and the BBC. And we look from both sides – the side of the public broadcaster, and the side of the content creator, to understand the benefits that such programmes could provide. We also speak to UNESCO about how they've been surveying content creators to find out their competencies. And with such programmes already underway, we discuss with one academic why public media needs to be particularly cautious about collaborating with news influencers. LINKS: ABC Creator Program Adwoa and Solomon Instagram account BBC Creator Lab UNESCO survey of content creators UNESCO content creators online training programme Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Adeline Hulin (UNESCO), Adwoa and Solomon (Adeche), Daniel Ahern (ABC), Dr Kelly Fincham (University of Galway). Special thanks: Kristian Porter (PMA). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier.

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29. What does it take to lead a public broadcaster?

For our final episode of 2024, and the final in our short bonus series of conversations recorder at the PBI conference in Ottawa, we sit down with two public media CEOs, to discuss what it's like, running a public media organisation. Both Catherine Tait, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, and Hanna Stjärne, CEO of Swedish Television, will be leaving their positions at the end of this year. In this podcast, they consider their achievements and any regrets. As two women, they also talk about the harassment, attacks and threats they have faced during their time. Plus, they talk about the future of public media in their respective countries, the wider challenges facing the industry and journalism. Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Catherine Tait (CBC/Radio-Canada), Hanna Stjärne (SVT). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, & Tom Brazier.

28. What is the Public Spaces Incubator?

In this second bonus episode, featuring a conversation recorded in Ottawa in October at the Public Broadcasters International conference, we explore the Public Spaces Incubator. The Incubator was originally founded as a partnership between four public broadcasters – CBC/Radio-Canada, RTBF, SRG SSR and ZDF – and one tech company, called New_Public. It released its first prototypes earlier this year, and has now welcomed ABC and ARD onboard as well. How did the Incubator start? What problems is it trying to solve? And when co-productions of this nature are so hard to get off the ground, what's the secret behind the success of the Incubator? Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Catherine Tait, CBC/Radio-Canada & Eli Pariser, New_Public. Music: Lucas Thompson, Rachel Still & Tom Brazier. For more information on the Public Spaces Incubator: https://newpublic.org/psi.

27. How can Indigenous stories be amplified in public media?

In the first of a series of interviews recorded on the sidelines of the Public Broadcasting International Conference 2024, this episode of Media Uncovered focusses on Indigenous Peoples and public broadcasting. For the first at the annual conference, October’s PBI, held in the Canadian capital Ottawa, saw a full day devoted to Indigenous voices in the media. Attendees from around the world discussed Indigenous stories, language revitalisation efforts, and questions of cultural identity and authenticity, as well as how national media grapple with their relationships with Indigenous communities. In this episode, recorded at the end of that special day, Jamie Tahana sat down with Robert Doane, the director of the National Indigenous Office at CBC/Radio-Canada, and Kerry Swanson, the chief executive of Canada’s National Indigenous Screen Office. Read our report on how public media are reaching and reflecting Indigenous Peoples: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/how-public-service-media-are-reaching-and-reflecting-indigenous-audiences/ Find out more about the UNESCO project: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/?s=Indigenous Presenter: Jamie Tahana. Guests: Robert Doane (CBC/Radio-Canada) & Kerry Swanson (ISO). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson & Tom Brazier.

26. How is RTÉ restoring trust?

RTÉ, Ireland's national public broadcaster, has been at the centre of a national drama for the past eighteen months. It all started after an undisclosed payments scandal broke out involving one of its star presenters. Further revelations regarding lavish spending and a doomed and costly musical, only ramped up the pressure on the organisation. The crisis saw trust in the broadcaster plummet and a subsequent financial headache, as audiences en masse refused to pay their licence fee. The Director General at the time, Dee Forbes, resigned. Yet out of this, RTÉ has emerged with a new five year strategy, a new leadership team headed by new Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, and a more secure funding arrangement for at least the next three years. How has this happened? In this episode, we speak to Kevin Bakhurst about this turnaround, and how RTÉ are still striving to restore trust in the organisation, from both audiences and staff. Presenter: Harry Lock. Producer: Jamie Tahana. Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson & Tom Brazier. In the next few weeks, we'll be releasing bonus episodes recorded live from Ottawa at the PBI conference. Subscribe so you don't miss out!

25. How are public media using Artificial Intelligence?

In this special episode of Media Uncovered, we're in Taiwan, looking at how public media are adopting and embracing Artificial Intelligence. The episode spotlights seven different projects either being worked on; trialled and tested; or in use already. The projects cover four themes related to AI: news & journalism; children's content; language services; and organisation. We also consider the current relationship between public media and Artificial Intelligence, with Develop AI founder and AI expert, Paul McNally. The episode was recorded at the PTS Symposium on Public Media & AI, held in Taipei in early September. For more information, click on this link: https://www.pts.org.tw/2024pts_symposium/. In the podcast, we hear from PTS themselves as to why they decided to hold this event. For more information on each of these projects: France Télévisions – Nous, jeunesse(s) d’Iran: https://larevuedesmedias.ina.fr/urgence-france-televisions-inventer-le-floutage-de-demain RTVE – AI election software: https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20230528/inteligencia-artificial-noticias-elecciones-28-mayo-poblaciones-menos-1000-habitantes/2446742.shtml PBS – Lyla in the Loop & Elinor Wonders Why: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2024/02/05/inside-how-pbs-kids-series-lyla-in-the-loop-tries-to-make-computer-science-more-accessible-to-all-children/?sh=504f9fa62222. SVT – A Christmas Miracle: https://omoss.svt.se/arkiv/nyhetsarkiv/2024-01-26-svts-julmiraklet-tavlar-vid-prix-jeunesse.html RNZ – LLM partnership: https://www.rnz.co.nz/media/226 NHK – sign-language avatar: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/08/31/summer-paralympics/nhk-tokyo-2020-sign-language/ Deutsche Welle – LLM: https://www.dw.com/en/what-is-deutsche-welles-approach-to-generative-ai/a-66868035 Presenter: Harry Lock. Producers: Charlotte Pion & Jamie Tahana. Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, and Tom Brazier. Speakers: Paul McNally (Develop AI), Dennis Chen (PTS), Eric Scherer (France Télévisions), David Corral (RTVE), Abby Jenkins (PBS), Simon Staffans (independent producer), Rhonwyn Newson (RNZ), Tsubasa Uchida (NHK), Ruth Kühn (DW). Additional audio supplied by: Eric Scherer / France Télévisions; David Corral / RTVE; Simon Staffans / SVT.

24. Why are so many American public media jobs being cut?

Why are so many American public media networks downsizing, and laying off staff? For this episode, we head to the US. In February 2023, NPR announced it was laying off 10-percent of its workforce – at least 100 people – facing a shortfall of $30 million. And in June 2024, it was announced that PBS would be making 24 people redundant. In the intervening months between those two announcements, there has been a litany of layoffs from regional networks, from GBH in Boston to Colorado Public Radio in Denver. What's causing these layoffs? And what impact will they have on the staff, on the content, and on the audiences? Presenter: Harry Lock. Correspondents: Jamie Tahana and Charlotte Pion. Guests: Mary Cavallaro (SAG-AFTRA), Ken Doctor (Lookout Local), Patricia Harrison (CPB), Professor Nikki Usher (University of San Diego), Sofia Verza (Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson, Tom Brazier. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/newsletters/

23. How are public media covering elections?

More than three billion people will go to the polls in more than 80 countries this year, and public service media will be on the frontline for many of them. But at a time when democracy finds itself on increasingly threatened ground, with rising authoritarianism, apathy, and mis- and dis-information, how does PSM plan to cover them? In this latest episode of our podcast, Media Uncovered, we speak to GBC in Ghana, which is trying to reach as many remote communities as possible amid budget pressures, while creating mechanisms to maintain its accuracy; we’re in Brussels, looking at how various journalists and broadcasters are covering the European elections; and we ask PTS Taiwan if there’s any lessons from their experience in January. Presenter: Jamie Tahana. Correspondents: Charlotte Pion & Harry Lock. Guests: Amin Alhassan (GBC), Valentina Vasileva (VOA), Pascal Albrechtskirchinger (ZDF), Joosep Värk (ERR), Prof. Ike Picone (VUB), Ching Ching Hai (RTI). Music: Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson. SFX: TripleX

22 - What's happening to Argentina's public media?

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 putting 700 jobs at risk, as well as further threats to privatise the national TV and radio broadcasters as well? In this episode, we explore the history of the public media sector across Latin American, and specifically in Argentina, as we analyse what has brought us to this moment now. And we examine what impact might the closure of public media mean for the country's broader news ecosystem. 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.

21 - World Radio Day: How does radio inform, educate, and entertain?

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 Kalstad (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/

20. What obligation does public media have to Indigenous Peoples?

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 Peoples – 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 Kalstad (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.

19. How are PSM adapting to the digital age?

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: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/resources/grants-opportunities/pma-global-grant/.

18. What is the value of public media’s language services?

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.

17. How can we regulate social media?

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? How can we ensure a more balanced media ecosystem, where media organisations are financially viable, publicly visible and accessible, and where mis- and disinformation is controlled? 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.