ITC To Launch Public Service Broadcasting Debate

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) is to ask the public what it thinks of public service broadcasting (PSB) in a major consultation which will contribute to the White Paper on Communications. There will also be a separate but related consultation on regionalism as part of ITV’s public service obligation. The two consultations will be launched on the 31 May and 7 June 2000 respectively.

Consultation will take place via a number of methods. Documents explaining PSB and regionalism will be published in order to enable viewers to put their views to the Commission. Public meetings will be held in each of the eight English regions, as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Discussion fora will be established on www.itc.org.uk and research commissioned using the BARB panel.

The ITC also intends to hold another two Citizens’ Juries, at which 14 viewers consider evidence and presentations from industry witnesses over five days. The ITC has already carried out several similar events. Key opinion formers including pressure groups and broadcasters are also expected to be consulted and seminars will be held. Finally, the ITC is expected to keep the issues as a priority agenda item for meetings with the industry and related organisations.

The government has announced that there will be a Communications Bill in the next Parliament, but the ITC says that it has also been prompted by the growth of multi-channel television to undertake this consultation.

The issue of regionalism is central to recent debates regarding ITV news coverage (see ITV Must Address News Audience Decline, Says ITC), where a fall in regional news viewing figures was a cause for concern for the ITC. The commission’s latest annual survey of viewers’ opinions, Television: The Public’s View 1999, showed that 88% of all viewers expressed an interest in local and regional news, a higher figure than for sports or films.

“The broadcasting environment is now changing rapidly so we need to reassess and redefine public service broadcasting in the multi-channel digital world,” said Sir Robin Biggam, the ITC chairman.

Independent Television Commission: 020 7255 3000