[Community Television] Jowell: Reality shows could be PSB

[Michelle McGuire]

Jowell: Reality shows could be PSB
Colin Robertson
02 March 2004 09:53

Reality TV and soaps such as EastEnders could be classed as public 
service broadcasting, according to media secretary Tessa Jowell.

As the government and regulator Ofcom gear up to create a new framework 
for public service broadcasting Jowell said reality shows which shed 
light on human behaviour could well qualify for PSB status.

"I could certainly see that a reality-TV show that explored some 
particular aspect of human behaviour could be argued for as 
public-service broadcasting, with an interest that extends beyond 
profits and high ratings," she told the Independent, adding that she 
had watched "four episodes and many hours of ITV1’s I'm A Celebrity... 
Get Me Out of Here".

She also suggested that some storylines in soaps often had a strong 
public service value. "I would say that those episodes of EastEnders 
that tackle difficult issues of child abuse, drug taking, teenage 
pregnancy, and so forth, are actually - when they do it responsibly - 
providing an important public service."

Her comments will be well received by commercial broadcasters who are 
hoping for a more relaxed PSB framework under Ofcom. They have called 
for an end to the "box ticking", whereby each channel is prescribed a 
certain number of hours of religion, arts, and kids programming to 
satisfy PSB remits.

Source:broadcastnow.co.uk