Current.org - For People in Public Media / Published at American University School of Communication

RESOLUTION Whereas, representatives and staff of the Major Market Group, The National Educational
Telecommunications Association, the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives, the
Program Resource Group and the Small Station Association have been working in
cooperation with staff of the Association of Public Television Stations, the Corporation
for Public Broadcasting and the Public Broadcasting Service; and,

Whereas, these licensee representatives have drafted and recommended for acceptance
by all public television entities a statement of our shared vision; now therefore be it
Resolved, that we, the licensee members of the Public Broadcasting Service, do hereby
request that the PBS Board of Directors consider acceptance of this statement as a
representation of member interests and as a guide for strategic planning and operations.

Why Public Television?

Public television is the only universally accessible national resource that uses the power
and accessibility of television to educate, enlighten, and inform. Because of its public
service mission, public television is more essential than ever in the cluttered media
landscape.
In a world of commercial media conglomerates, public television is the only locally
owned television provider in most communities. Its array of education and outreach
services, combined with local ownership, means that public television stations are
actively engaged in their communities, creating content and providing services that
respond to local needs.

Because the goal of commercial television is to maximize profits by attracting as many
viewers as possible to expose them to advertising, its programming philosophy is driven
by ratings as a key measure of its success. Public television, on the other hand, strives for
impact and measures its success by the extent of its ability to educate and inform, to
enlighten and entertain. In short, public television strives to:

•  Challenge the American mind.
• Inspire the American spirit.
• Preserve the American memory.
• Promote global understanding.

Mission Statement for Digital PTV

Digital technology offers new opportunities to support a public service mission that
serves the American people. Public television will use digital technology over multiple
platforms to:

• Extend its traditional mission of public service and noncommercial, educational broadcasting for all Americans.
• Combine public service national programming with universal service to make a positive difference in the lives of all Americans.
• Partner with community institutions to enrich and expand learning in public affairs, science, arts and culture.
• Ensure that diverse local voices have access to the media.

Vision

Digital public television will be an essential part of our national and community life.
Rooted in and deeply engaged with local communities, it will achieve the financial
stability required to provide services to all Americans. Its programming and other digital
services will be a unifying force in American culture, a lens through which we can view
and understand our diverse nation and the world.