Radio Authority Calls For Ofcom To Carry On Legacy
The Radio Authority has urged the new super-regulator, Ofcom, to carry on its model of regulation when it assumes its full responsibilities at the end of the year.
In its final Annual Report before being phased out by the new catch-all regulator, the current radio watchdog emphasised that its ability to oversee “fifty thousand programme hours” each week with just a “handful of staff” has provided a model for regulation in the multi-channel world.
The Radio Authority’s chairman, Richard Hooper, said: “The work that has been done in examining the future use of AM and in identifying prospects of future FM licensing will allow Ofcom to continue the process of licensing new commercial radio stations with the minimum of practicable pause.”
He went on to commend the Authority’s efforts to set up a self-regulatory system for broadcast advertising, saying: “The system of moving the detail of advertising regulation out from the regulator to the industry itself, which has been set up with the encouragement of the Radio Authority, can also serve as a pattern for further development of co-regulation of broadcast advertising by Ofcom.”
The Annual Report also shows the Radio Authority awarded six new local digital mulitplex licences last year, along with six new local analogue licences.
The Radio Authority is currently proposing the launch of 32 new FM radio stations as part of its hand-over to the new communications regulator. The move, which has been warmly welcomed by the commercial radio industry, could provide services to a number of key cities over the next few years (see Raft Of New FM Radio Licences Proposed).
Radio Authority: 020 7430 2724 www.radioauthority.org.uk
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