UK: Inquiry Into Convergence Regulation

In the UK Parliament it has been decided that the Culture, Media and Sport Committee (comprising MPs from all parties) will conduct a inquiry into audio-visual communications and the regulation of broadcasting, in the light of the convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and computer technologies. The inquiry will not examine in detail the operation of current individual broadcasting organisations, but the Committee will undertake another inquiry into the organisation and financing of the BBC before the end of its current five-year financial settlement, in 2002. The inquiry is expected to start in early 1998. Those who wish to submit written evidence are asked to do so by 16 January 1998; it should be addressed to the Clerk of the Committee at the House of Commons, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA.