Hans Laroes: It is innovative. It experiments. It connects with the local creatives. - But there are still things to do.
Hans Laroes is Project leader PSM values review / EBU.
twitter: @hanslaroes
So, what does it means when you open the doors and say: come and take a look? Check our performance and organization. Tell us what we are doing wrong and what we are doing right?
In my opinion: you have an open mind, and you are strong enough to face criticism.
This is what Yle did, engaging in the Public Service Media Review.
It is a consequence of the promises Yle made to society, together with all the other members of the EBU in the declaration “Empowering Society”.
But these promises should be followed-up and checked. This is the basis for the Review.
Experienced outsiders from other broadcasters in countries, were invited to perform the check. To do this so-called peer-review.
The basic idea is: every Finn owns her or his public broadcaster. They pay for it. So it better be good and innovative. A vital part of the national economy and creative industry. Reaching everyone within society.
This is especially important when the global brands take control. Netflix, HBO, Google, they seem to be sexy and cool. But not Finnish. Yle is. It is innovative. It experiments. It connects with the local creatives. It brings Finnishness to Finland. It talks the languages of the country.
We (those outsiders) came up with recommendations to further strengthen Yle’s performance.
We especially suggested Yle to focus more on diversity; this could be done much better. And we wanted Yle to go into more partnerships with the civil society. To start creating an agenda for cooperation, also with the (regional) newspaper industry.
We were impressed by innovations like the news-app and appreciated an experiment like Kioski. It shows how important it is for an organization like Yle to go and think digitally.
In the end we all were convinced: Yle strives to be a better broadcaster every year. Most important: adds value to society.
Yle should not be applauded for that. It’s what they are there for. But it is very important to know, and to be proud of: Yle delivers.