Bottomley Addresses Royal Television Society

National Heritage Secretary, Virginia Bottomley has set out her views on the economic and cultural importance of the British television industry, and on its future opportunities and obligations.

Speaking at the Royal Television Society Biennial Convention in Cambridge, Mrs Bottomley said that the television industry was a great British success story but needed to exercise its responsibilities carefully.

Also highlighted was the need to exercise caution particularly with regard to the images and values we present to children and young people.

Mrs Bottomley warned that she intended to place “a special responsibility” on the BBC board of governors to ensure that the corporation abided by its obligations. The new BBC Royal Charter, which is now being finalised, would include specific references to the BBC’s obligation to provide programmes of interest to all, to be impartial in its reporting and to uphold high standards of taste and decency. She said that broadcasting was not simply an industry. A balance had to be struck between economic and cultural objectives, and for the short term at least, absolute limits on ownership must remain.

The Royal Television Society yesterday also heard the Huw Weldon Lecture: Sport For All – Or Just a Few, which deals with the public’s access to sport on television. Sports writer, Sir Paul Fox highlighted the “worrying trend” which sees sport on terrestrial television being eroded.

Sir Paul advocates action to protest the current line up of listed sports events, and recommends that they be made available to all terrestrial broadcasters, with highlights also available on cable and satellite.