Bottomley Abandons V-Chip

Virginia Bottomley, the National Heritage Secretary, has decided not to legislate for the introduction of the V-chip in the forthcoming Broadcasting Bill.

After advice from Dr Arthur Pober, a senior adviser to the US Government on the V-chip, the government has decided that the chip “throws up a number of difficult practical questions”. Not least of these is that the chip would not be effective against programmes imported from Europe. Implementation of the technology would also place a strain on television manufacturers.

Mrs Bottomley commented: “The price of high quality programming is eternal vigilance on standards and the Government will seek to maintain the reputation and quality of British television.”

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