By Luke on June 28th, 2004
Sir Christopher: Ofcom ‘Should Lose Its Powers’ Over Taste And Decency
DT Reports:
Ofcom’ should lose its powers’ over taste and decency
Sir Christopher Meyer, the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, believes that Ofcom, the new super-regulator for the media, should be stripped of its powers to censure broadcasters over matters of taste and decency.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Meyer, a former press secretary to John Major and British ambassador to the US, said that the state should not be involved in censoring the output of the media.
A spokesman for Ofcom also said: “Under the Communications Act 2003 the term ‘taste and decency’ no longer applies in the regulation of television. The new criterion is ‘harm and offence’, which will be included in Ofcom’s new programme code being published for consultation next month.”
So the new draft programme code will be published next month with the standards consultation as expected.