Lords Amendment Gathers Momentum
Much coverage (FT � subscription) of the Lord Puttnam proposed �public interest� test to be applied in regard to takeovers of Channel Five.
As I said yesterday the details remain vague. Not sure how this test will be defined outside of vesting further discretion (thereby the �public interest�) in a few hands. Surely [...]
Bernard Asks If Plurality Will Add Up To Diversity
Ralph Bernard, Chairman of the GWR radio group made a couple of interesting points in regard to broadcasting plurality and diversity at the Economic Affairs Future of Broadcasting Conference earlier in the week.
Making reference to the Competition Commission�s recent decision to force GWR to divest its stake [...]
Lords Gain Concessions
Reports indicate an eleventh hour government stand down on ownership provisions in the Communications Bill, allowing the inclusion of a clause designed to give the DCMS powers to apply a ‘public-interest’ test – administered by Ofcom and the OFT – in the event of a takeover of Channel Five.
The clause drafted and proposed [...]
BBC Exec. Discusses U.S. Media Quality and Roles of Ofcom / FCC . . .
John Willis, the recently-appointed head of factual programming and learning for the BBC, spoke yesterday before the Royal Television Society, offering his thoughts on public service versus commercial broadcasting models. Willis offers both praise and criticism for the U.S. [...]
Ofcom wants you!
Ofcom is advertising for people to join its team.
Ofcom’s employment notice states, ‘Ofcom wishes to become a career destination of choice for individuals who are attracted by roles which balance the promotion of choice and competition with the duty to foster informed citizenship and protect cultural diversity…the working culture will be collegiate in [...]
Sir Christopher Meyer responds to PCC critics at the MediaGuardian site.
Diplomat Or Bouncer Required?
Some interesting articles over the weekend discussing press regulation and the future of the beleaguered Press Complaints Commission.
Sara Cox�s lawsuit settlement for invasion of privacy was big news – likely setting a new precedent for breaches of the PCC code. Meanwhile the News of the World�s lame �Posh and Becks� kidnap debacle [...]
Snoddy Thinks Like Noddy
The Times � Interesting (or perhaps amusing) piece by Raymond Snoddy on Saturday discussing the impact of the FCC�s decision to lift many of the ownership restrictions in local US media markets.
I think the article totally fails to understand the integration of the global communications industry. Indeed, I suspect that the FCC�s [...]
Stirton.net
Also…see Lindsay Stirton’s informative guide to various aspects of regulation at stirton.net. Lindsay is an absolute authority on media and communications regulation in developing countries.
He also turns his hand to risk regulation, health care regulation, tax issues and administrative law. A talented (and busy) man indeed.
mediafrenzy – blogging the FCC
The UK too small for you? Want to know about US media and communications regulation as well?
Check out Russ Taylor’s blog – mediafrenzy – which blogs the FCC decision making process. Russ is a DC lawyer who always knows what’s hot within the beltway.
His work on spectrum management and related [...]
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