Exploring European Public Service Broadcasting Systems Through The Progress Of European Integration

Public service broadcasting (PSB), originated in Europe, is one of the main operating systems of global broadcasting and television. Normally the foundation of BBC was regarded as the beginning of PSB in the world. European public service broadcasting systems, working on the bases of non-governmental and non-commercial, has been guarding the democracy and culture of Europe. In the process of European integration, PSB, as a part of European cultural policies, played a vital role in sustaining the cultural diversity and national culture, even served as the basis of European cultural identity, which strongly supported the implementation of integration. However, as European integration launched in the economic area with political purpose, PSB was excluded outside the main stream for a long period time. Furthermore, with the emergence of a huge international media market, the new possibilities offered by digital technology, and invasion of commercial broadcasting, PSB in Europe has been pushed into such a tough and worrying stage that even some predicted the replacement of PSB by commercial broadcasting. But after the debate lasting for decades, PSB in Europe sticks to serving as the more powerful guardian of society, culture and democracy, yet it has to face many difficulties. PSB in Europe, appeared and developed in the unique historical and cultural background and cannot be easily copied in China, but can be provided as a beneficial model for Chinese broadcasting and television to learn how to survive and develop when facing the globalization, new digital age and the threat of commerce.