From left to right: Prix Italia's secretary general Giovanna Milella, EBU's Vice-President Claudio Cappon (RAI/Italy)
EBU's president Jean-Paul Philippot (RTBF/Belgium), Italian minister of Education, professor Francesco Profumo.

September, 2012

European Broadcasting Union President (EBU) Jean-Paul Philippot highlighted the vital role of public service media (PSM) in the digital age during a lively debate with Italian Education Minister Francesco Profumo televised by RAI TV.

The discussion came during a conference on the relationship between public PSM and educational systems at the 64th Prix Italia in Turin, Italy.

During the debate, President Philippot said: “Public service today finds new meaning because through digital technologies it can interact with audiences. The mission of public service is to involve citizens to build a healthy democracy.”*

The moderator for the session was EBU Vice-President, Claudio Cappon, who is also the Director General of Rai World; the event itself was opened by the new president of Italian EBU Member RAI, Anna Maria Tarantola.

More than 300 delegates from all over the world attended the Prix Italia, which is the oldest and most prestigious international competition open to commercial and non-commercial radio, TV and web broadcasters. Despite its broad spectrum of participation, all awards this year went to EBU Members.**

During the event's General Assembly on Friday, Prix Italia President and CEO of Swedish TV Eva Hamilton handed over the three-year post to Remy Pflimlin, CEO of France Télévisions.

*Read more about Public Service Media values: Empowering Society – A Declaration on the Core Values of Public Service Media

**For a complete list of prize winners: http://www.prixitalia.rai.it/2012/Pdf/Prix_Italia_Winners_2012.pdf.