Review article

https://doi.org/10.20901/ms.16.31.3

DEFINING IMPARTIALITY IN EUROPEAN PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA. A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE BBC, RTÉ, AND VRT.

Michael Pakvis orcid.org/0000-0002-8488-3212 ; imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Tim Raats orcid.org/0000-0003-1220-4150 ; imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Catalina Iordache orcid.org/0000-0003-4669-5410 ; imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Abstract

Amid growing criticism and political scrutiny, defining and operationalising impartiality has ‎become essential for public service media (PSM). This research examines how impartiality is conceptualised‎ across policy, editorial guidelines, and regulatory oversight in three Western European markets through ‎a comparative analysis of documents from the BBC (United Kingdom), VRT (Flanders-Belgium), and RTÉ‎(Ireland). The article demonstrates that, first, while regulatory obligations enforce ‘impartiality’, clear‎ definitions in policy documents are lacking; second, editorial guidelines on impartiality show that it should ‎be perceived as a process rather than as a measurable, achievable state of journalistic performance.‎ Finally, the article shows the increased importance of complaint mechanisms and gatekeepers addressing‎ concerns about impartiality and its (audience) perception. Simultaneously, it demonstrates that existing ‎assessments fall short in researching its complexity, contributing to the perception that impartiality is an ‎achievable state of journalism that can be achieved in news reporting by journalists.‎

Keywords

PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA; IMPARTIALITY; INDEPENDENCE; BALANCE; VIEWPOINT DIVERSITY; POLICY ANALYSIS

Hrčak ID:

334153

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/334153

Publication date:

30.7.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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