Government Finally Publishes Communications Bill
The Government has today published the final draft of its Communications Bill, which following extensive public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny (see Committee Advises Government To Rethink Media Ownership), contains a number of amendments.
The first of these is the provision, which will be held in reserve, for the Government to force BSkyB to carry public service channels such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. The satellite operator currently offers carriage to all five terrestrial channels, but it is understood that the contracts are negotiated on a commercial basis.
Other key amendments to the draft Bill, which was published in May (see Draft Communications Bill Relaxes Cross Media Rules), include a clarification of the overall role of Ofcom and a lifting of the restriction on religious bodies holding local digital radio licences.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport also confirmed two previously announced changes to the Bill, which include plans to enable Ofcom to fine the BBC for breeches of programme regulations (see BBC To Face Regulatory Fines Under Ofcom) and proposals to further relax the radio ownership regulations to allow further consolidation within the industry (see Government Confirms Relaxation Of Radio Ownership Rules).
Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, said: “This Bill went through an almost unparalleled process of scrutiny and consultation leading up to its publication today. This has been democratic debate at its very best and has played an essential role in shaping its final form.”
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, added: “It will liberalise the market, removing unnecessary regulatory burdens and cutting red tape, but at the same time will retain key safeguards that will protect the diversity and plurality of our media.”
The Bill, which is expected to herald significant changes for the media industry, will now make its way through both parliamentary houses and is expected to gain approval before the summer recess.
DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.dcms.gov.uk
Recent Regulation Stories from NewsLine Radio Groups Beam At Prospect Of Further Consolidation Ministers Refuse To Bail Out ITV Carlton And Granada Move To Take Control Of ITN
Subscribers can access ten years of NewsLine articles by clicking the Search button to the left