Broadcasting Bill Second Reading This Afternoon

The Broadcasting Bill will get its second reading in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Virginia Bottomley, the National Heritage secretary, is expected to make further amendments to the bill, including the requirement that all digital cable systems will have to carry the existing terrestrial channels and more flexibility to allow greater cross-ownership between local media.

As reported on Newsline (11/04), the flexibility on radio ownership is expected to be increased to allow a company to hold more than one FM licence in a particular area.