ITC To Undergo Full-Scale Regulation Review

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) is to undertake a full-scale audit of the regulatory requirements imposed on commercial broadcasters. Working in tandem with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the review aims to simplify, streamline and modernise the current regulatory procedure.

The massive undertaking, which was promised after recent consultations with the Government, will look at every piece of regulatory code and policy and ensure that it is still relevant and effective in the changing world of broadcasting.

In the initial phase of the audit all requirements and obligations placed on commercial broadcasters will be identified and their origins established. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will then be consulted to discuss whether the policy retains its effectiveness in the modern commercial broadcasting market, and changes for simplification and modernisation will be recommended.

A consultant will publish a report which will then be put out to consultation to the public, licensees and external organisations. The completion date of the full audit is expected to be mid-2000.

Chief executive of the ITC, Peter Rogers said the time was ripe for a review: “Broadcasting is in a time of great change and we need to be sure that our regulation is adapting with the market. This audit gives us an opportunity to make that assessment and to look ahead. We will then either modify our regulation or, if the law prevents us, we will ask the government to make appropriate amendments in future broadcasting legislation.”

The news comes as discussion of the future of television is high on the agenda of the Department of Culture. In his speech at the Royal Television Society Conference on Friday, culture secretary Chris Smith gave high priority to the regulation of commercial broadcasting (see Chris Smith Sets Out Digital Agenda).

ITC: 0171 255 3000