The panel on funding was chaired by Ms Clare Duignan, Managing Director at RTÉ, who gave an overview of the funding challenges facing PSM in many countries.

Mr Richard Burnley emphasised the importance of ensuring secure and stable sources of public funding for PSM in the new media environment. The traditional licence fee based on ownership of a broadcasting device in the home might need to be reconsidered or adapted in a world where viewers can access broadcasts everywhere, on many different devices.

In considering new funding methods, Mr Burnley referred to the virtuous circle of social acceptance leading to more funding, better content and so an increase in viewers. He also raised the need to ensure that PSM funding is independent from government and easily collected.

The panel also featured EBU's Mr Roberto Suarez Candel (Media Intelligence Service), who presented data and trends of PSM funding and Mr Damien Tambini, LSE, who discussed the implications of digitisation for PSM independence.