Broadcasting Bill “Bias” Amendments

“Due impartiality” must continually be observed on “individual issues” states a new amendment to the Broadcasting Bill announced yesterday. The legislation, which will apply to both television and radio, produced a heated reaction from broadcasters. The amendment was described as “constructive censorship”, and David Elstein, Thames Televsion’s director of programmes, claimed that the move “will virtually put Channel 4 out of business”. The general consensus was that the new clause will lead to bland and boring programming. Senior broadcasters from ITV, ITN, BSB Sky Television and Channel 4 will meet the ITC today to discuss the amendment.