Brooke Says Cultural Diversity Needed

Peter Brooke,speaking at the Financial Times Cable and Satellite Conference in London said that he was concerned about the balance between commercial and cultural differences in the developing media markets. “A large number of services does not necessarily produce a variety of output”. He pointed out that regulations were there to ensure that programmes appealed to a wide variety of tastes. He also called on international broadcasters to spend more money on programme making and independent productions.

BROADCASTING STANDARDS COUNCIL – NEW CODE OF PRACTICE

The BSC has launched the second edition to its Code of Practice, five years after its original code. The second edition responds to the concerns which have emerged in the five years, such as on-screen violence and the 9pm watershed, which, the code reminds broadcasters, is not a waterfall and programmes should merge gradually to only adult suitability.

There is also a section to reflect changing attitudes towards race, disability and mental health. The code has been altered to reflect society’s changing attitudes.

A copy of the code is available from the

Broadasting Standards Council 071 233 0544.