Report from Edinburgh
Hope everyone had as much fun in Edinburgh as I did…especially at the Ofcom Watch meet-n-greet cocktail party! Just for fun, I switched name tags with Steve Barnett, and stumbled around the party in my best Belushi-style, stuffing my face with those amazing crab puffs (hats off to Occasions Catering, huh?) and [...]
A Message From: Russ Taylor, Senior V.P. and Int’l Policy Strategist, Ofcom Watch
Check out my recent introductory piece on Ofcom in Telephony Magazine’s August 18th issue. I **cleverly** introduce Ofcom to American readers by pretending that Ofcom is a recently-purchased consumer product. Wacky!
Do you like my new title? Luke’s been [...]
While I was at the beach…
This piece came out, recounting the recent Blair-BBC confrontation, and suggesting a privatized future for the BBC. Nothing new here, but hey — it’s a slow news month, folks!
Meanwhile, back in the U.S., I think it’s fairly safe to report that the ‘outrage’ over the FCC’s June 2nd media [...]
Ofcom Watch struggles through the summer doldrums…
But there’s always something to blog…
Selina Scott says:
Time was when Auntie stood for quality, unbiased reporting and high technical standards. While individual programmes are still excellent, the BBC is no longer the benchmark.
It is high time the licence fee was abolished and the Beeb had to fight for survival [...]
He’s got a point
Barry Cox in today’s Guardian says:
In my view, abandoning the licence fee and relying on voluntary subscription would put the BBC on a much healthier footing with the government. Its independence would be clear. The governors would no longer be the regulator – this role would be taken over by Ofcom – [...]
A Funny Kind Of Freedom
Following on from Russ� post below about the Campaign For Press and Broadcasting Freedom�s decision to start an Ofcom Watch section on their site�
I read with interest Granville Williams (Editor of the CPBF’s Magazine) call to arms letter in the Guardian a few weeks ago. He suggested establishing [...]
Oxford Town Gathering�
Didn�t manage to make it to today�s Oxford University/Damian Tambini seminar on life after the passage of the Communications Act, 2003.
Fortunately Steve Bowbrick did intend to go. And you should pay a visit to his blog later today to read what will be the best report of the event on the web.
Ofcom Watch: “I shall call him Mini-Me”
The Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom says it is going to start a website called Ofcom Watch. [sound of Klaxton horn] Commence Transmission of Signal — Earth to planet-CPBF: Message — “We’ve already (i) been there, (ii) done that, and (iii) bought the tee-shirt!” [...]
Steve Barnett’s thoughts on media deregulation:
Actually, I was going to blog his article, but it’s useless with this guy. Just take this test. See if you can distinguish between (The Office’s) Gareth Keenan and Steve Barnett. Who said each of the following, Gareth or Steve?:
“At times like this, trust in anything [...]
‘Now for the really hard work’ … soon … really soon ….
Today’s MediaGuardian has a piece by Stephen Carter of Ofcom on what’s next:
* A ‘major’ review of public service broadcasting (an input into BBC charter renewal process)
* Code on provision of services to the deaf and visually impaired
* Move toward [...]
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