Government To Press On With Communications Bill
The Government has confirmed that the Communications Bill will be introduced in this Parliamentary session, prompting speculation that it could be unveiled by the end of the week.
This morning’s Queen’s speech on the opening of Parliament confirmed that the Bill, which is expected to clear the way for a major shake-up of the media industry (see Draft Communications Bill Relaxes Cross Media Rules), will be introduced by this time next year.
The Queen said: “Legislation will be brought forward to reform the broadcasting and telecommunications industry by promoting competition and investment and giving powers to the Office of Communications.”
It is understood that the Government is keen to push the Bill through Parliament as quickly as possible. However, Lord Puttnam, chairman of the Joint Scrutiny Committee, has warned that it could be delayed in the House Of Lords if the Government refuses to reconsider its proposals on foreign ownership (see Committee Advises Government To Rethink Media Ownership).
Last month in her response to the Joint Scrutiny Committee, Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, confirmed the Government’s intention to push ahead with plans to allow the foreign ownership of UK broadcast assets (see BBC To Face Regulatory Fines Under Ofcom). However, in a speech at the Westminster Media Forum tomorrow, Jowell is expected to confirm the contents of the Bill, which could include plans for the further relaxation of the radio ownership regulations.
It is understood that the Government is planning to relax the existing regulations to allow just two different radio owners plus the BBC to operate in each local area (see Further Consolidation For Commercial Radio?). The Bill currently proposes a minimum of three, but radio groups have been campaigning for further liberalisation.
DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov.uk
Recent Related Stories from NewsLine ISBA Accuses Government Of ‘Fudging’ BBC Regulation Government Set To Relax Regulation On Advertising Drugs IPA Welcomes Government Move To Self Regulation
Subscribers can access ten years of NewsLine articles by clicking the Search button to the left