Jowell Insists BBC Will Pay For Privileges
Tessa Jowell has warned the BBC to expect a heavier regulatory load in exchange for its privileges, but has confirmed that the corporation will retain the system of governor regulation, in addition to partial regulation by by new industry watchdog Ofcom, “Not because their burden should be light, but because it should be heaviest.”
Speaking to broadcasting executives at the Westminster Media Forum, the Culture Secretary addressed the concerns of many commercial broadcasters that the BBC had adopted a populist approach to programming which presents a threat to advertising-funded channels: “High share for good programmes is not a problem, but ratings are not the sole test for the BBC.” she said, “A new service funded by a universal fee needs to reach as many people as possible. The BBC will ultimately be judged on quality, innovation, the ability to challenge, the desire to take risks and the ability to make the market, not follow it. It should not fail on these and use ratings as the excuse.”
“Being a public service broadcaster” she continued “Is not a licence to compete, unfettered, with all those commercial services which have to fight in the marketplace without any protection from the state.”
On the issue of whether the BBC should be exposed fully to the regulation of Ofcom, Jowell was insistent that retaining the governor system will in fact increase the burden of regulation: “Quite simply, the more public privileges the broadcaster receives, the tougher it will be regulated.”
The issue of public service in the future broadcast landscape has been the cause of much debate as the industry prepares for the Communications Bill. In her speech Jowell was keen to stress that public service remained an important aspect of the broadcast remit, announcing that a new hierarchy of public service obligations is to be included in the bill and stating: “Public service broadcasting is not a heritage phrase. It is not the costume drama of broadcasting. It has been a vital part of our past, but I’m going to ensure it is a vital part of the digital future.”
On the subject of the digital future, Jowell also said that the decision on BBC3 would be taken only when further work had been done on the market impact of the proposed entertainment channel.
DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov.uk
Recent Communications Bill Stories from NewsLine: Communications Bill Could Limit Prime Media Assets IPA Conference Brings Pan Industry Agreement ISBA Calls For BBC Ofcom Inclusion
Subscribers can access ten years of media news and analysis in the Archive