Viewers turn to Free-to-Air (FTA) TV during times of crisis. However, it is also losing its credibility by taking asides.
Speaking in a panel entitled FTA’s key role in a crisis and moderated by Broadband TV News at NEM in Dubrovnik, Robert Sveb, general director Croatian TV – HRT, said that viewers returned to FTA TV not only during covid and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but also in the middle of the pandemic, when Croatia was hit by two major earthquakes. He added that “as professional journalists have to be as objective as possible”. However, this is not always possible during a time of crisis.
Meanwhile, Matthias Settelle, general director, TV Markiza and member of the editorial board at CME, said that FTA TV has to remain fact based. Furthermore, when it comes to news, it has to deliver some additional value.
Gregoire Polad, director general Association of Commercial and Video on Demand services, said the key word is trust. A study has shown that despite the popularity of social media TV and radio are the most trusted sources of info in EU, by over 50% of people. People are returning to FTA TV, which is regulated.
Natalija Gorscak, vice chair EBU TV Committee, nevertheless argues that FTA TV is losing its credibility because it is taking sides during times of crisis. Indeed, it is too populistic in its work. “I don’t know who is leading the show with the news. Looks like we’re all playing the same game”.