New Broadcasting Bill Expected

The government is to bring forward a major broadcasting bill in the next session of parliament to deal with such issues as cross-media ownership and digital television, according to Ray Snoddy, writing in today’s Financial Times.

The bill is expected to be used to tidy up outstanding issues from the 1990 Broadcasting act, such as removing the requirement for the ITV companies to sell 51% of ITN, or allowing newspapers greater ownership of commercial television channels. Stephen Dorrell is believed to have persuaded John Major that broadcasting legislation should have priority.

The new legislation would also address issues such as the merger of the Broadcasting Standards Council and Broadcasting Complaints Commission, and empower the ITC to licence commercial satellite channels owned by the BBC.

The National Heritage Department is expected to publish a consultation document on digital terrestrial television in the next few months, and is also expected to publish its white paper on cross-media ownership in mid-May.