Coalition of TV, publishing and radio calls for swifter action on Big Tech regulation
A coalition of media-owner bosses and trade-body leaders have written to Boris Johnson to demand urgent action to “tackle the harmful impact of the tech platforms” on UK media and publishing.
The letter to the Prime Minister has been signed by Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, BBC director of policy Clare Sumner, and ITN’s head of legal and compliance John Battle.
Leaders from the industry’s major trade associations representing publishing and radio have also signed the letter, such as the News Media Association, the PPA, the Publishers’ Association, Radiocentre and the AOP.
The letter, published today, stressed the vital importance of bringing forward the legislation to put the Digital Markets Unit on a statutory footing early in the next Parliamentary session.
“Any delay to the legislation risks the UK slipping behind other jurisdictions, “the letter warns. “We welcome the efforts of government to date on this vital issue, but our sectors cannot afford any further delay to this critical legislation.”
The letter has been published as the first anniversary of the establishment of the DMU in shadow form approaches next month.
The Digital Markets Unit, a new regulator based in the Competition & Markets Authority is meant to promote competition and ensure tech companies cannot exploit dominant market positions.
The Government set out its proposals for a new pro-competition regime for digital markets in a consultation published last year and is understood to be preparing to respond to that consultation in the next two months.
The letter in full
Dear Prime Minister,
Across our organisations, we represent the major media businesses in the UK who are at the heart of the creative economy and a driving force for culture, innovation, and jobs across the country. These include national and local news brands, television, radio, magazine media, book and journal publishers.
As the government has introduced legislation via the Online Safety Bill to make the internet a safer place, we are united in stressing the vital urgency of tackling the other side of the coin with legislation which will provide the Digital Market Unit (DMU) the necessary statutory powers and underpin the new pro-competition regulatory regime.
Under your Government, the UK has played a leading role in identifying the harm caused to many businesses and consumers by the dominance of a small number of large tech platforms in the digital economy, not least with the CMA’s online advertising market study, which has been cited in jurisdictions around the world as others look to take action to tackle anti-competitive practices.
The UK has also led on the solution to begin tackling these harms, with the creation of the DMU. We believe the DMU can tackle the root causes of large platforms’ market power, rebalancing the relationship between platforms and creators of trusted and much-loved content. This will be critical in ensuring the sustainability of the UK’s vibrant media sector, ensuring fair value and treatment for creators of content, and ultimately benefitting audiences.
However, with the first anniversary of the establishment of the DMU in shadow form approaching next month, it is vital that the legislation that will give it teeth is forthcoming early in the next parliamentary session. This will ensure the UK retains and capitalises on our world leading position. Any delay to the legislation risks the UK slipping behind other jurisdictions. We welcome the efforts of government to date on this vital issue, but our sectors cannot afford any further delay to this critical legislation. Also crucial are the measures to ensure platforms do not erode choice for consumers reducing their access to British news, culture, stories, and entertainment as set out in the proposed media bill.
By moving quickly and including the legislation in the Queen’s Speech in May, you will not only take the first step towards ensuring a healthy future for independent media, but you will position the UK as a world leader in tackling the imbalance of power between media providers and the tech platforms which threatens to deprive the public of the trusted news and information they require.
Yours sincerely
Owen Meredith, Chief Executive, News Media Association; Ian Moss, Chief Executive, Radiocentre; Richard Reeves, Chief Executive, AOP; Alex Mahon, Chief Executive, Channel 4; John Battle, Head of Legal and Compliance, ITN; Sajeeda Merali, Chief Executive Officer, PPA; Stephen Lotinga, Chief Executive, Publishers Association; Clare Sumner, Director, Policy, BBC.