Well folks, the lazy days of summer are upon us. Let’s face it: the regulatory environment in the UK was turning into a bit of a mid-summer bust — capped off with the BBC’s report that it adds billions of pounds to the UK economy each year. Funny how the reports are either bullish (BBC) [...]
See the Ofcom press release below. More advertising is a good thing. It will: (i) drive people to get tools like Sky+ or products like DVD box sets or iTunes downloads; and (ii) possibly encourage people to read more. I suppose if the new advertising funds better programmes that is a good [...]
UPDATE on GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE RULING:
I’ve now taken the time to read Ofcom’s ruling. What can one say about a controversial television programme on a complex topic? Surely it will contain errors of some sorts. Surely it will upset some people. Does Ofcom’s decision really remedy either? No. Looking [...]
People are always asking me’ … what’s going on with Rapture TV??. Russ can’t get enough. Anyway, you’ll be please to know that we have an update. The CAT site may be down, but it didn’t stop them ruling against Rapture yet again.
This time it refused a request by Rapture TV to appeal the ruling [...]
Ofcom Consumer Panel Policy Executive
Background
The Consumer Panel has a statutory remit to provide high quality evidence-based advice to Ofcom and others on matters affecting consumers, particularly those who may be at greater risk of detriment, in the communications markets. The Panel operates independently of Ofcom, with a delegated budget and a dedicated support team and [...]
Sure, there is Sundance, Toronto or Cannes… but most film-makers aspire to win the BT Home Hub Film Festival. Here is the latest:
And some of the classics in the genre:
Ofcom last week released an interesting discussion paper on the citizen interests in communications. It is available here.
Here are the key nuggets, with some of my reactions:
OFCOM: ‘As citizens, we participate in society, which includes the marketplace, but also extends far beyond it. Citizens are free to exchange goods and services, but are [...]
Hello from Atlanta where it is so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk…but the broadband is a burning hot 19306 kb/s.
Two weeks ago, I reacted to Steve Hewlett’s article about Ofcom’s evidence-based approach to regulation. Hewlett appeared to contrast Ofcom’s technocratic approach with the increasing application of political values to media [...]
Surprising comment today from Steven Barnett in the MediaGuardian. He says Ofcom needs a cultural renewal:
‘Who should be the new chairman? Not an economist. We need someone with vision, respected by business, but also an effective cultural champion – someone who is capable of standing up for the public interest even in the face [...]
I was in a conversation this afternoon about rss feeds and the Competition Commission (CC), and how they could be used, when I discovered that the CC have now added an ability to follow particular enquiries via rss, such as the Groceries market investigation. The feed is useful because it also shows when responses by [...]
In its PSB Review Ofcom divides people into 3 categories when it comes to whether we are willing to pay more for television:
‘[A] majority who were willing to pay more for the same amount of public service broadcasting; a minority who were not willing to pay more but believed they would get used to a [...]
I thought it was interesting that the Church of England submitted a response to the Ofcom PSB Review. It makes sense if you think about it: (i) the Church has been in the interactive media business for thousands of years and (ii) the oldest licence fee in the world is compulsory tithing. [...]
I finally got a hardbound copy of Ofcom’s recent publication, The Price of Plurality. Reading through it — and also having a chance to see BSkyB’s consultation response — made me think a bit about where Ofcom stands in all of this. Here are some random thoughts:
* You can tell [...]
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