Economically, the PSB system does not aim at profit. It does not follow the path of profitism. For operational costs, the PSB system is founded on the public levy, government fund, nominal advertisement revenue and other periodical grants from non-governmental institutions. The PSB governing board is independent of either the government or a private institution or any other institution. No political appointment takes place there. It has its own charter to follow for the sake of independence and non-interference. It does not compromise against public interests.
Just the opposite of the PSB system is the commercial broadcasting system. Its programming is guided by commercial interests. Its cultural and educational functions are more confined to superficializing public mentality to obtain loyal consumerism from the users of media. Since the private broadcaster's revenue is drawn heavily from businesses, the media contents are likely to be compromised against public interests. Owners prefer to tailor their programming framework to commercial needs of businesses. Public interests are more likely to be limited by the owners' own management board, which has a commercial mission.
But the State broadcasting system is controlled by political parties in power. It has the possibility of dividing people for political purposes. Although it is funded by the government, it has a tendency to serve commercial interests. Elite and moneyed classes get enough place in this system while public interests are defined through authoritarian eyes. Those with access to power can benefit from the state broadcasting system. Trade unions with political tags may spoil many things under the state broadcasting system.
While a tremendous anomaly rules Nepal's commercial and community FM stations due to lack of good management, qualified media workers and vision crafters, Radio Nepal can still remain a single national radio. But there are implications that trade unions and some politically powerful persons in Radio Nepal are deliberately creating an environment for privatization of this radio. Be they owned by a private business, state or public, any broadcasting institution is dependent on the money that people pay. The form or appearance of money may be different. Consumers pay businesses that pay the broadcaster. In this sense, even a private broadcaster has to be accountable to the people. People pay multiple taxes to the government that runs a state broadcasting institution. This perspective also provides us clarity that the government officials do not spend from their pockets. Hence their accountability to people. Similarly, public broadcasters also need to use money obtained from people in the form of systematized levies, taxes or any other funds. In this sense, they have to be accountable to people. But from the decision-making perspective, the PSB system is more independent and geared towards public interests.
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