Tories Urge Government To Bring BBC Under Ofcom
Shadow Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, is calling for the BBC come fully under the control of the new super-regulator, Ofcom, following the publication of the Government’s Communications Bill yesterday (see Government Finally Publishes Communications Bill).
Whittingdale, who has been an outspoken critic of the Bill, welcomes the liberalisation of the media ownership regulations and the creation of Ofcom, but argues that its powers over the BBC do not go far enough.
He said: “It is indefensible that the biggest and most powerful of broadcasters should be allowed to continue to act as judge and jury on complaints about its behaviour and we will be tabling amendments to make the BBC subject to the same regulatory requirements as other broadcasters.”
The regulation of the BBC, which is currently the responsibility of the Corporation’s Board of Governors and the Broadcasting Standards Commission, has been a contentious issue for some time, with commercial broadcasters insistent that the Corporation should be brought in line with the rest of the communications industry.
Last month, the draft Communications Bill was revised to included a clause that could see the BBC face fines of up to £250,000 for breaches of programming regulations (see BBC To Face Regulatory Fines Under Ofcom). Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, said that the move would place the BBC on the same regulatory playing field as other public service broadcasters. However, the commercial sector remains unconvinced and chairman of the BBC, Gavyn Davies, said that he would rather sack those responsible for breaking taste and decency codes than use licence fee payers money to pay regulatory fines (see Davies Says Sack Staff Don’t Pay Regulatory Fines).
Shadow Secretary of State for Trade And Industry, Tim Yeo, called on the Government to make sure that Ofcom focussed on relaxing the media ownership regulations. He said: ” It is vital that Ofcom focuses on increasing competition, including the removal of outdated and overly burdensome media ownership rules. Both consumers and the British economy must benefit fully from the continued success of these vital industries.”
Earlier this week, the Conservative party urged the Government to abolish the ownership regulations on ITN, following news that Carlton and Granada are keen to take control of the news operation (see Whittingdale Calls For An End To ITN Ownership Rules).
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