Reaction To Draft Bill Begins

Initial reaction is already emerging in response to the publication today of the draft Communications Bill:

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell’s opposite number on the Conservative benches, Tim Yeo, has said: “I give a cautious welcome to the publication of this Bill. I however, remain disappointed that Tessa Jowell has not followed her own logic and fully deregulated media ownership.” and continued: ” The acid tests for these proposals will clearly be whether they represent a light touch or a heavy hand.”

Meanwhile, Ralph Bernard, executive chairman of GWR Group has stated: “The draft Bill is a step in the right direction. Commercial radio has been restricted for too long by outdated ownership regulations. Bringing conventional competition law to the fore in regulating media ownership will improve matters considerably.”

He went on: “In placing consumers at the centre of communications regulation, the Bill echoes GWR’s approach to broadcasting. Two years ago we highlighted the US research which proves that diversity of output increases when ownership is deregulated. We are pioneering a new approach to media self-regulation, launching the Classic FM Consumer Panel chaired by Chris Smith MP – as a model of consumer contact and representation which other broadcasters are expected to follow.”

“Some areas of the Bill need further refinement, and the government is encouraging this with a further period of consultation” he added. “We strongly believe the ‘3 owners plus the BBC’ local ownership formula needs to be relaxed to ‘2 owners plus the BBC’ to deregulate in local areas. Without this local radio may not benefit from the government’s ambition to allow more freedom. This Bill is an opportunity to underpin our investment in digital radio, but it must go further if consumers are to get the full benefit of increasing choice and quality of programming.”

GWR Group: 020 7284 3000 www.gwrgroup.com

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