Pop Music and Nationalism
Neil McCormick suggests that BBC Radio 1 is playing too much American music and speaks favorably of a quota system to ensure greater playtime for British music. McCormick says:
So how to protect homegrown music against homogenisation by US commercial forces? It is worth noting that France was the only record market [...]
Will The Communications Act Really Attract Foreign Investors?
Daniel Sandelson, head of the communications, media and technology group at Clifford Chance, thinks the Communications Act 2003 might deter rather than attract foreign investors. In a terrific roundup in The Lawyer magazine this week he suggests that the new legislation has too many hoops for [...]
Where do we go from here?
More back-and-forth over the reporting of Dr. Kelly’s various statements to the BBC about intelligence on Iraq/WMD. The Guardian reports that the dispute has now raised questions about the Beeb’s future as an exclusive recipient of the licensing fee.
Let’s not forget the two unassailable truths to come out of [...]
EC Directives Come Into Force
The new EC Electronic Communications Directives came into force yesterday.
The framework, incorporated into the Communications Act, 2003 provides the basis for regulation by Ofcom when it assumes regulatory responsibility at the end of 2003.
Much contention over whether the Competition Commission’s reinforcement order for mobile operators to cut charges by 15% [...]
The Economist on the BBC’s Uncertain Future
The Economist has a nice piece (’Poor reception’) in this week’s (July 26-August 1) issue about the regulatory future of the BBC. The seven paragraph article says more about the future of the BBC than I could locate in the Beeb’s most recent annual report. Some snippets:
“[R]obust [...]
Jackie Ashley on Sauron…I mean…Murdoch
Today’s Guardian has something for fans of the Lord of the Rings. Yes, it’s an old-fashioned batlle of good versus evil!
Jackie Ashley offers the following:
This time, with the communications bill soon to become law – even as amended – Murdoch has a chance of getting into terrestrial British TV. If [...]
And speaking of U.S. predators…
The penultimate paragraph of Luke’s 5:23 pm post of July 22nd quotes London lawyer Sean James who claims he knows of “U.S. predators out there just waiting for the green light” to acquire British media properties.
What a silly claim. There are no U.S. predators with that kind of cash [...]
The Global Picture
Great piece in the FT’s Creative Business yesterday – subscription required to view – offering a comparative study between regulatory approaches in the US, Brazilian, Indian, Australian and French media markets.
Of the UK the FT says…
“Post Comms Bill, the UK is, by international standards, extremely liberal on ownership but highly structured for content [...]
Communications Act, 2003 : Lawyers Know What They Like And Like What They See
Having had the weekend to look over the Communications Act in full, lawyers seem to like what they see – plenty of work.
Edward Fennell in today’s Times highlights the areas, in the broadcasting realm, where there is much to do for both [...]
BBC Governors Feel The Heat
Much press today reporting calls for the BBC Governors to be scrapped and the corporation brought under Ofcom.
The FT sums it up – “The corporation is fighting growing calls by MPs for Ofcom, the new media regulator, to assume regulatory responsibility for the accuracy and impartiality of BBC programming in [...]
�2000 Sweetener To Keep The Ships Afloat
The Guardian’s Media Monkey reports today that each of the current regulators will pay out a �2000 bonus + an extra pension contribution to employees who will stick around till the end of the year.
I presume this applies only to those being made redundant. But will the offer be [...]
Carter Rounds Up The Troops
Stephen Carter is set to hold a meeting today to tell employees from the current regulators how they will be brought over into the new organisation.
According to the Guardian’s vicious but funny Media Monkey, employees will be divided between having a job and not having one – or being somewhere in [...]
Currie Gets Honorary Degree
Lord Currie has today been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Birmingham.
Ofcom No Show Likely In Edinburgh
Maggie Brown in the Media Guardian talks to Sara Ramsden, Sky One Controller, who is Chairing this year’s Edinburgh International Television Festival.
Ramsden expresses surprise that no senior figures from Ofcom will be attending the festival.
Can Broadband Raise the Baby Bells?
Not quite Ofcom related but here’s a bit in today’s The New York Times about the deployment of broadband in the United States. While cable companies remain in the driver’s seat of broadband, this article introduces a case for the Bells. Perhaps the telephony model [...]
Ofcom’s birthday: December 29th
Ofcom is therefore a Capricorn. According to the most authoritative source I could locate after two minutes of Google searching, Ofcom will be:
* normally confident, strong willed and calm;
* capable of persisting for as long as is necessary to accomplish a goal;
* able to work on several [...]
Communications Bill Assent
Lot of stuff on the passage of the Communications Act, 2003 in today’s press. All pleased that the real work can now begin – not least Ofcom themselves. A few comments as to the costs. Ofcom start date: December 29.
Most quote Ofcom’s own press release, in which Stephen Carter said:
�Parliament has given Ofcom [...]
FSA Handover Provides Timely Lesson For Ofcom
I am sure that key figures at Ofcom are watching the current hand over at the Financial Services Authority with interest. The departure of Chairman/Chief Executive Sir Howard Davies marks the end of the initial set-up period for the financial services super-regulator.
Davies is off to be Director of [...]
Ofcom Is Go!
The Communications Act, 2003 has recieved Royal Assent.
Of the new legislation Trade and Industry Secretary of State Patricia Hewitt said: ‘This Act creates a modern regulatory framework for the UK’s internationally successful, dynamic and competitive communications sector in which businesses can thrive, consumers benefit and citizens’ interests are protected.’
DCMS Secretary of State Tessa [...]
Ofcom Has Too Much Mayo For Yeo
According to the FT Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary Tim Yeo has added his voice to concerns about the size and cost of Ofcom. This follows Chris Byrant�s comments made earlier in the week pertaining to salary levels.
Yeo has written to the government asking for clarification on costs and [...]
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