Broadcasters Publish Details Of Public Service Commitment

The UK’s major commercial broadcasters have published details of their public service commitments for the coming year. The statements are part of an ITC initiative and herald a move towards further self-regulation within the TV industry, a move which was unveiled as part of the Government’s White Paper last year.

The statements allow creative flexibility in delivering public service broadcasting commitments and ensure that ITV, Channel 4 and C5 are more directly accountable to their viewers. If the system is adopted under forthcoming legislation, the proposed regulator OFCOM would monitor these statements and the performance of the licensees’, reporting regularly on whether the commitments have been fulfilled.

“By introducing this new form of accountability and increased self-regulation now, before the new legislation is in place, the ITV is providing Government, the public and broadcasters with an opportunity to test the effectiveness of the proposed system of self-regulation,” said ITC chief executive, Patricia Hodgson. “We are delighted that the broadcasters have risen to the challenge and that their statements show imagination and a continuing commitment to their public service roles.”

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