GWR Calls For Lighter Regulation In Communications White Paper

GWR has called for a raft of reforms to radio legislation in a submission to the Government’s Communications Reform White Paper team. The group wants a lighter, more flexible system of regulation with the UK radio ownership threshold raised to 25%, in line with conventional competition law.

In its submission, GWR said, “UK commmercial radio struggles under the most restrictive economic regulation of any media industry. The points system limits owners to 15% of the population coverage of UK commercial radio. With the BBC occupying some 50% of listening share, being limited to 15% of 50% is a very harsh and unrealistic restriction. It takes no account of the market strength of stations, being based on population coverage rather than share of listening.” It also says that digital radio needs more spectrum.

The submission said that in future, regulation should be as minimal as possible. “To flourish, UK commercial radio needs appropriate, modern and flexible regulatory structures,” said GWR group chief executive Ralph Bernard. GWR says its submissions would “energise the industry and encourage it to innovate and expand to reinforce its position at the leading edge of Creative Britain.”

GWR: 020 7284 3000