What is Public Media?

On May 12th and 13th, The Berkman Center – along with a team of others – is hosting “Beyond Broadcast: Reinventing Public Media in a Participatory Culture”. The title assumes that something called “public media” exists – but what is it? We are developing a working definition prior to the event, and invite you to add your comments about what public media is here.

Emerging new media tools are challenging existing concepts of public broadcasting and community access channels. Traditionally billed as a counterbalance to commercial television, public broadcasting and community access channels exist to correct the one-to-many medium by providing access, local connections, diverse voices, and viewpoints alternative to the mainstream. New media tools in a way do just that – and more.  They allow individuals to create content, distribute to, and interact with communities all over the world. Services like Google video, YouTube, Gather.com and MySpace play a role here – but are they public media?

Is there a new way of looking at public media? A view that incorporates new media and goes beyond the traditional norms and rules associated with public broadcasting and community radio and television? What values are integral to it? Can it be as simple as “somewhere that members of the public can depend on for reliable information that promotes understanding for action, and interaction.” Check out what people are writing on the topic here. What would you say ‘public media’ is?

Post your thoughts here and stay tuned to the Beyond Broadcast blog!