Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is invariably public. In its ownership, funding, programming, the concept 'Public' always defines the logical boundary of any public service broadcasting organization. Public service broadcasting has been conceived as a public sphere essential for well functioning democratic society. In that sense, PSB is of the public, for the Public and by the public. The ideal public broadcasting systems requires that (a) the independence of public service broadcasters must be guaranteed by appropriate structures such as pluralistic internal boards or other independent bodies; (b) the control and accountability of public service broadcasters, especially as regard the discharge of their missions and use of their resources must be guaranteed by appropriate means; (c) public service broadcasters must be directly accountable to the public.

The questions come to one's mind always: What form of 'Public' we have in our own Public Service Broadcasting systems? Does it reflect people aspirations and desires? Is it Public Service Broadcasting or Public Broadcasting? Does the notion "public' really reflect in all the structures and functions of our PSB systems? What exactly happening to this domain of 'public' around the world? Does ownership means 'public’ ownership'? Does funding mean true 'public' funding? Does programming means' public' programming?

UNESCO and AIBD have been helping public broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region to find out the answers to some of these questions. In these ongoing efforts, it is important to draw from various well-established PSB institutes all over the world of their status, legal framework, sources of funding and administrative structures.

The present book on Public Service Broadcasting by Mr. Toby Mandle is a reflection on the ways in which selected national /public funded organizations are operating in view of their broadcasting obligations, governance structure and funding arrangements. The selection of organisations represents main continents in which public service broadcasting stay alive. Special emphasis is given to the strategies these organisations have evolved over the years to emancipate from two critical factors: External control (political or any other) over editorial independence and inadequate government funding. The book also speaks about alternative strategies adopted to bring the audience back to their own domain.

This joint publication of UNESCO and AIBD is a notable contribution to the on going Europe- Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Public Service Broadcasting initiated by AIBD at the 2nd International Conference on Public Service Broadcasting 29 Nov. - 1 Dec., 1999, Manila, The Philippines. The author, Mr. Toby Mandle has worked as an UNESCO Expert in broadcasting legislation in a number of countries of the region and is currently the Head of Law Programme at the ARTICLE 19.

We believe that this book will be a resourceful reference to all the national broadcasters of Asia-Pacific region. The book will serve as an authoritative friend for broadcasters to solve some of the issues, which they are currently facing in their own organizations. Knowing others always means knowing ourselves.