Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV) represents the citizen and consumer interest
in broadcasting and works for quality and diversity in British broadcasting.

The most boring words in the English language are said to be: ‘There now follows a party political broadcast’. Party political and election broadcasts allow political parties to talk directly to potential voters in an unmediated way and form a precious part of Britain’s democratic heritage. 

Yet this tradition is now in danger of being lost as politicians and broadcasters question their worth. But what about the voters? Are they prepared to change to a system like that in the USA, where paid-for advertising is the norm?

VLV’s 12th annual conference in Scotland, this year in association with the Electoral Commission and Edinburgh and Napier Universities, considered these issues and how the matter should be approached in the light of devolution. Among the speakers were:

Glynn Mathias, Electoral Commission
Blair Jenkins, Head of News, BBC Scotland
Alisdair Macleod, Scottish Parliamentary Unit, BBC Scotland
Professor Ivor Gaber, Goldsmiths College, University of London
Professor Bob Franklin, Sheffield University 

09:15          Registration & Coffee
10:15          Welcome and Introduction

10.30          The Future of Party Political Broadcasts etc.
                    Chair: Jocelyn Hay, Voice of the Listener and Viewer
                    Glynn Mathias, Electoral Commission
                    Tim Suter, Office for Communications (OFCOM)
                    Professor Bob Franklin, Sheffield University 
                    Professor Ivor Gaber, Goldsmiths College, University of 
                    London

                    Discussion and Debate

12:30          Lunch: available with a ticket which includes lunch at Old College 
                    or from a number of venues nearby

14:00          Politics and the People: The BBC, Politics and the Role of Public
                    Service Broadcasting etc.
                    Chair: Robert Beveridge, Napier & Edinburgh Universities & VLV
                    Brian Taylor, Political Editor, BBC Scotland
                    Alastair Mackod, Editor BBC Scotish Parlimentary Unit
                    Paddy Borr, Institute of Governance, Edinburgh University

                    Discussion and Debate

18:00          Tea & Depart 
 

Tickets: £25, included lunch. VLV Members £15 
Lunch not included - Non Members £10 - VLV members £7.50 
Students / Concessions £5.

Robert Beveridge at The School of Communication Arts at Napier University
Craighouse, Edinburgh EH10 5LH. Tel No: 0131 455 6156  Fax 0131 455 6193
email: r.beveridge@napier.ac.uk

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