Tories Accuse Jowell Of Dithering On Digital

Shadow Culture Secretary Tim Yeo has attacked the Government for its failure to set a firm date for the digital switchover.

Speaking at the Culture, Media and Sport Question Time in the House of Commons yesterday, Yeo accused Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell of “dithering on digital” after she admitted last week that the deadline for the digital switchover could be delayed until at least 2010 (see Delay For The Digital Deadline).

Yeo said: “Despite admitting that it won’t be long before cheap set top boxes will allow every home to receive a digital signal, Tessa Jowell has refused to set a firm date for digital switchover for analogue television.”

Yeo called on the Government to set the date for the digital switchover for 1 January 2006 and said: “Failure to give a lead will make decisions for parts of the industry harder and will put off the day when British viewers can enjoy the benefits of new technology.”

Tim Yeo, an outspoken critic of Tessa Jowell, recently urged the Government to amend the existing media ownership regulations and pass emergency legislation to enable the establishment of a single ITV (see Tories Call For ITV Consolidation).

DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov

Subscribers can access ten years of media news and analysis in the Archive