GWR Sets Up Consumer Group For Classic FM

GWR is to set up a new consumer group to monitor the performance of its flagship station Classic FM. Following the lead of commercial television companies as they move towards self-regulation, the radio group has announced that it too will publish annual performance plans.

Speaking at the Radio Academy’s Radio and the City seminar this morning, Ralph Bernard, chief executive of GWR, said: “As we move closer to self-regulation, we believe broadcasters must be seen to be acting responsibly and must maintain even closer links with their customers than they do already. This will be the role of the Classic FM Shadow Charter Group.”

At the beginning of each year the station will publish a series of targets, and the station’s performance in the light of these targets will be assessed throughout the year by the Shadow Consumer Charter Group. Its views will then be presented to the GWR board and to the public via the Classic FM website.

First steps towards self-regulation among television companies began this week when Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV published details of their public service commitments for the coming year (see Broadcasters Publish Details Of Public Service Commitment). The initiative is a precursor to plans proposed under the Government’s White Paper to create more flexibility and accountability within media regulation.

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