The Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto

The Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto calls for a transition from traditional public broadcasting to a 'Public Service Internet' to counter the negative impacts of commercial digital giants on democracy. It proposes a digital ecosystem based on transparency, data privacy, and public funding, where algorithms are open-source and content is designed for citizens rather than consumers. The manifesto envisions a 2040 utopia where Public Service Media is a universal, diverse, and sustainably funded network infrastructure that promotes media literacy and social cohesion.

• The manifesto asserts that current commercial Internet platforms endanger democracy by creating a landscape defined by surveillance, algorithmic politics, and the spread of misinformation, which divides society rather than providing common spaces for debate.
• The authors argue that simply establishing public service channels on existing commercial platforms like Facebook or YouTube is insufficient because it reinforces the cultural and economic power of digital giants.
• A proposed 'Public Service Internet' would prioritize social needs over profit, utilizing open-source, transparent 'public service algorithms' that avoid surveillance and advertising to reflect public diversity.
• The manifesto emphasizes data privacy as a core pillar of the Public Service Internet, advocating for decentralized data storage and the ability for users to manage and reuse their own data for non-commercial purposes.
• Sustainable funding for this digital transition is proposed through mechanisms including a reformed digital licence fee, the Nordic model of a public service tax, and transnational funding.
• The vision for 2040 describes Public Service Media as a universal network infrastructure that is independent of government and business interests, reaching all segments of society including minorities and 'info-avoiders'.

APA

Rowley, S. (2022). The Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto. World Association for Christian Communication. https://waccglobal.org/the-public-service-media-and-public-service-internet-manifesto/

Chicago

Rowley, Saskia. The Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto. World Association for Christian Communication, 2022. https://waccglobal.org/the-public-service-media-and-public-service-internet-manifesto/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Rowley |first1=Saskia |title=The Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto |publisher=World Association for Christian Communication |date=15 November 2022 |url=https://waccglobal.org/the-public-service-media-and-public-service-internet-manifesto/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{rowley2022public, author = {Rowley, Saskia}, title = {{The Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto}}, publisher = {World Association for Christian Communication}, year = {2022}, month = nov, url = {https://waccglobal.org/the-public-service-media-and-public-service-internet-manifesto/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }