The Radio Authority (RA) has been exonerated from allegations of misconduct made last year about the way in which the Authority awarded its licences. John Norrington, the former secretary of the RA, made the accusations, some of which were repeated by BBC Newsnight (see Newsline). The allegations involved the awarding of the East England regional licence to Vibe FM in June 1997.
Sir Peter Gibbings, chairman of the RA, said: “After long and thorough scrutiny of how the Authority conducted the East of England licence award, the independent assessment by Graham Thornton makes clear that there was no abuse of process, no improper conflict of interest, and no bias. The Authority’s confidence, in the face of unfair criticism, that its processes would stand up to the most thorough scrutiny has been entirely vindicated.”
A letter has been sent to the editor of BBC Newsnight requiring a broadcast correction and accurate reporting of the independent enquiry which was commissioned as soon as the allegations were made.
Radio Authority: 0171 405 7058
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