ABSTRACT
Public service broadcasting occupies an intriguing position on its environmental responsibilities in comparison to many other media in that its reliance on tax funds makes it liable for a range of public service obligations. Thus, notions such as sustainable development cannot only be part of a PR operation but must meet often strictly enforced standards for social and environmental development, at least in theory. This chapter interrogates the environmental policies of Nordic broadcasting through NRK, DR, YLE and SVT. Some of these companies subscribe to the responsibility deficit in that they have only developed very basic protocols that allow them to tick boxes within their mandate. Others such as YLE and SVT are arguably more thorough but even here questions over accountability and greenwashing emerge as potential concerns.
