Thompson Attacks ITV For Neglecting Public Service Remit
Channel 4 chief executive, Mark Thompson, has criticised ITV for neglecting its public service remit and has attacked media regulator Ofcom for failing to bring the broadcaster to account.
Thompson claims that ITV will not be able to support its current public service obligations and argues that Ofcom has absorbed the pessimism of previous regulatory bodies. He argues that, without intervention, “ITV would just have to be let off the hook”.
Thompson suggests that ITV should make an ‘economic’ case for dropping its public service content and claims it should be forced to increase payments to the Government as compensation for its actions.
He said: “It is Ofcom’s and the Government’s duty to ensure that the public gets proper recompense for this value, not just in the right level of payments to the Treasury, but in the right package of PSB programmes and services.”
Thompson gave his assessment of the situation whilst speaking at today’s Voice of the Listener & Viewer conference. The Channel 4 head was responding to a report by Ofcom into the state of the nation’s public service broadcasting, which stated that television lacked innovation and original ideas, relied too much on copycat programming and occasionally talked down to audiences (see Ofcom Paints Bleak Picture Of Public Service Broadcasting).
On the topic of Channel 4’s commitment to public service broadcasting, Thompson was more upbeat, stating that research had been carried out into the public’s perceptions of the channel and its public service output. He said the results have been positive, with the public marking Channel 4 higher than any other public service broadcaster.
Thompson also welcomed Ofcom’s input into how Channel 4 could increase its PSB output. He said: “We welcome their willingness in their report to enter into a dialogue with us about the best way of ensuring that Channel 4 continues to deliver its PSB contribution to and beyond digital switchover”
He added: “There’s more we can do. We do want to find a way of making a bigger and more consistent impact with the arts and design in our schedule. We’ve got big plans for educational programming too – but education that talks to our audiences in ways that make a difference to them.”
Earlier this month Thompson ruled out an application for the position of BBC director general following the resignation of Greg Dyke in January. The Channel 4 head said: “I intend to stay at channel 4. I have got the job I want so I’m staying here. I will turn down any approach from the BBC” (see Channel 4 Head Rules Out A Move To The BBC).
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com
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