Ofcom Sets Out Plan Of Action For Coming Year
Media super-regulator Ofcom has announced its Annual Plan for 2005, setting out the watchdog’s key priorities for the next financial year and inviting industry opinion on its proposed areas of concern.
The watchdog has opened its plans for consultation until 3 March, with the final version of the plan to be published in April. Setting out the regulator’s proposals for the coming year, Ofcom’s chairman David Currie and chief executive Stephen Carter stated: “2005/6 now marks the start of a three-year programme of delivery and this change of emphasis is reflected in our draft outline plan for the next year of Ofcom’s work.
“We will implement the conclusions of our first year strategic reviews, with a detailed programme of work to develop a new regulatory framework for telecoms and new licence conditions for ITV1 and Five. We will continue to promote competition and open markets to new entrants.”
The regulators also stated that a clear plan was needed in order to avoid being side-tracked by ever changing issues in the media industry. Ofcom claimed it would continue its remit to have a “bias against intervention, but a willingness to intervene firmly, promptly and effectively where required.”
In addition to publishing its draft plan for the next year, Ofcom stated that it would hold several events around the UK to listen to the views of stakeholders on the overall direction and requirements of the watchdog over the coming months.
Amongst the other initiatives Ofcom has in store for 2005 are implementations of last years strategic reviews of spectrum, public service television broadcasting and telecommunications services, as well as the implementation of its radio market analysis findings. The regulator has warned that the coming year will represent a period of significant regulatory change, renewal and – in some key areas – withdrawal.
The full draft Annual Plan is available at Ofcom’s website. The regulator recently announced a raft of new analogue commercial radio licences to extend its planned radio timetable into 2005. Amongst the regions now set to receive further broadcast licences are Swindon, Torbay and Swansea, with the introduction of several smaller licences in the next month, and the possibility of larger licences being introduced by March (see Ofcom Extends Radio Licence Programme).
Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk
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