Radio Group Welcomes Communications Bill Drafting

GWR chief executive Ralph Bernard suggested today that aspects of last year’s Communications White Paper expected to be omitted from the Bill going through parliament this year- namely those relating to media ownership -could still be included if the industry reaches a conclusion in time, creating a “ready-to-go” Bill.

Speaking in reaction the Queen’s speech at the opening of Parliament today, Bernard said “The reference to the Bill came fairly late in the speech, which implies that we’ve slipped down the legislative timetable. However, that will allow a little more time to get the draft absolutely right.”

He continued: “It’s essential that we keep the momentum going, and that the draft includes all aspects of broadcast regulation, including the media ownership rules. Some commentators have suggested that media ownership issues could be ommitted- but that would create a two-track media, with parts of the industry able to develop and others restricted.”

Bernard concluded : “We need parity across the communications sector and an uninterrupted pace of development, so let’s use the extra time we have to reach a definite conclusion on the ownership issues and produce a ready-to-go Bill which can be fast-tracked onto the statute books.”

When the Communications White Paper was published last year, many complained that the proposals for radio ownership rule changes were ‘wooly’, while ITV’s merged future appeared far more certain. The issues of ownership likely to slow legislation are unlikely to be in relation to the relatively simple equasions of analogue TV and radio ownership,however, but are thought more likely to involve emerging technologies such as digital, broadband and the internet.

GWR Group: 020 7284 3000 www.gwrgroup.com

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