Luật pháp thông thường được thực thi thông qua một hệ thống tòa án trong đó quan tòa sẽ nghe tranh tụng từ các bên và áp dụng các quy định để đưa ra phán quyết công bằng và hợp lý. Cách thức mà luật pháp được thực thi được biết đến như là hệ thống pháp lý, thông thường phát triển trên cơ sở tập quán tại mỗi quốc gia. | 2 The value and functions of the broadcast media protecting the citizen viewer Introduction In chapter 1 we introduced a basic distinction between the consumer and the citizen a distinction we argued which affects the nature of the viewing experience and the details of the relationship between broadcaster and viewer. We further contended that this distinction has implications for the range and type of content offered as well as access to that content and underpins the nature of regulatory concerns that the Union needs to address. Although broadcasting can be seen as a commercial activity and content regarded as a commodity there are arguments about its functions and values beyond its many and varied commercial aspects that need to be considered. These arguments are to be found in discussions of the relationship broadcasting has to citizenship or in other words the way broadcasting meets the needs of viewers as In this chapter we explore the underlying theories about the value and functions of broadcasting which have underpinned regulatory rhetoric particularly that which claims to be serving the public interest. We begin this chapter with a discussion of these theories after which we go on to explore our distinction between citizens and consumers in more depth. We then consider the impact that this distinction has expressly or implicitly on the concept of public interest. This is followed by a discussion of the issue of access to broadcast content in relationship to the needs of citizens. We conclude with a discussion of how the interests of the citizen viewer can be protected and how technological change and developments in the broadcasting sector particularly commercialisation affect the viability of broadcasting s social political and cultural functions. There are three aspects to our discussion. The first concerns the 1 D. McQuail Media Performance Mass Communication and the Public Interest London Sage 1992 W. Lippmann Public Opinion New York .
