The Behind the Screen report calls on Public Service Broadcasters to share innovation and build transparent, user-focused platforms. By embracing open standards and decentralised models, PSBs can create fairer, more creative, and socially valuable digital spaces. How can collaboration, open standards, and decentralised models transform public service media? The Behind the Screen report points the way to a fairer, more creative digital future.
Read our Briefing Paper: Connecting-Public-Service-Media-Innovation-with-Digital-Rights-Frameworks-001-2025-07-24
The publication of the Behind the Screen report is a welcome and timely reminder that our media landscape is changing rapidly. Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) are no longer competing only on television schedules; they now operate in a world dominated by global streaming platforms. This report urges PSBs to work together and share innovation—something that is more than just good practice, it is essential for protecting public value in the digital age.
What does this mean in practical terms? It means collaboration on the tools that help audiences find programmes. It means agreeing on common standards so content can be discovered easily, rather than hidden in silos. And it means being transparent about how recommendation systems work, so that they serve cultural and civic goals rather than narrow commercial interests. These steps will help ensure that public service platforms remain distinct from their global competitors by prioritising trust, diversity and inclusion.
The good news is that these ideas don’t exist in isolation. They align closely with wider movements for an open and fairer internet. The Social Media Bill of Rights argues that people should have greater control over their data and the algorithms that shape their media experience. The Decentralised Web Principles call for systems that are transparent, interoperable and built for human agency rather than corporate lock-in. The Open Protocols Guide champions technical approaches that allow different platforms to connect without forcing users into closed, proprietary systems.
What happens when these ideas meet the world of public service media? We start to see a vision of digital platforms that act as a public good. If PSBs adopt open standards and work collaboratively, they can create spaces where creativity thrives, audiences have choice, and cultural diversity is celebrated. Independent producers and creative practitioners could reach audiences without having to navigate extractive gatekeepers. Communities could benefit from services that are accountable, participatory and resilient, rather than subject to the whims of global corporations.
Collaboration isn’t just about technology; it is about values. By pooling knowledge and sharing innovation, PSBs can lead the way in building digital services that reflect the democratic principles on which they were founded. This is about creating markets that reward creativity over monopoly power and supporting platforms that deliver social value rather than extracting profit.
The challenge now is to move from principle to practice. That means regulators recognising the importance of openness, broadcasters committing to shared development, and civil society continuing to hold these systems to account. The opportunity is clear: a future where our digital platforms are not only functional but fair, where they enhance citizenship and creativity rather than limit them. The Behind the Screen report offers a starting point—let’s make sure it leads to a collaborative, public-centred digital future.