Theorizing Public Service Broadcasting Online

Abstract

The field of media and communication policy research encompasses a variety of theoretical approaches derived from traditional disciplines, such as political science, sociology, economics and law. Hence, each of these fields has contributed to diverse theoretical accounts of how media policies are shaped and developed. This chapter highlights the main concepts of these literatures and sets out the analytical categories for explaining and understanding the policies of PSB online in Europe. Furthermore, the following chapter revisits and explores democratic theories shaping PSBs’ values on the internet. It then sets out normative criteria in order to add a new dimension of policy critique.