Abstract

The essay offers an overview on the evolution of public service media in the digital era. In particular, it looks into the grounds for maintaining public companies in the audiovisual sector; then it evaluates the recent reforms in France and Spain, in the light of the safeguard of the independence of the public broadcasters from political interference. Finally, the author poses the question of the connection between the values of «internal pluralism» and «independence and impartiality» of the public service broadcasting in the Italian legislation and jurisprudence.