RadioCentre calls for the Government to back Ofcom’s recommendations

RadioCentre has called for the Government to back Ofcom’s recommendations to relax local cross-media ownership rules.

The commercial radio’s trade body wants the Government to ensure that the recommendations become law before next year’s election, according to reports.

On Tuesday, Ofcom suggested to the Secretary of State (Culture, Media and Sport) that “some relaxation of the local ownership rules will benefit citizens and consumers by helping to ensure that local content continues to be commercially provided”.

Ofcom recommended removing the local radio service ownership rules and the local and national radio multiplex ownership rules, in a bid to “reduce regulation on an industry facing difficult market conditions and increase the likelihood that stations continue to be viable”.

The regulator also suggested liberalising the local cross-media ownership rules so that the only restriction is on owning all three of: local newspapers (with 50% plus local market share); a local radio station; and a regional Channel 3 licence.

“This liberalisation will increase the flexibility of local media to respond to market pressures. Consumers still rely on television, radio and press for news so we are not recommending complete removal of the rules,” Ofcom said.

Matt Payton, head of policy at the RadioCentre, said the body “will be calling on the DCMS to make sure there is parliamentary time for the recommendations to be debated”.

“After all the work that has gone into this, it would be unfortunate if the changes to the law didn’t happen. I don’t believe it is too much of a burden on Parliament to get something through that could be beneficial to local media companies,” he added.

A spokesperson for the DCMS said the secretary of state will consider Ofcom’s proposals, but did not commit to a timetable at this stage. The radio proposals require legislative changes, which are expected to be included in the Digital Economy Bill.