The 2004 EBU General Assembly in St Petersburg approved a proposal for a working group to coordinate Members’ internal audit activities. It was also decided to establish "Internal Audit" as another key field in promoting the exchange of best practices among EBU Members. 

The fundamental goals of the internal auditing community are to:

• create a network of internal auditors in public broadcasters
• exchange knowledge, experience and ideas in this field
• identify and develop best internal auditing practices, approaches and methods within public broadcasters.               

The first meeting was held in Brussels on 9 December 2004 and was attended by delegates of 22 EBU member organizations out of the 30 to have expressed their interest and that wish to take part in its future activities. A new steering committee was recently elected in Porvoo (Finland) and comprises delegates from ARD/ZDF (Germany), BBC (United Kingdom), CYBC (Cyprus), FRTV (France), RAI (Italy), RTE (Ireland), SRG-SSR (Switzerland), and TRT (Turkey).

Coordination of the group within the Permanent Services has been entrusted to the Strategic Audit Unit, under the direct responsibility of the Director General.