Ofcom, the new commercial television and radio broadcasting regulator, is carrying out a review of public service broadcasting.
The review consists of a three stage process which includes an attempt to define public service broadcasting and the production of a series of proposals designed to maintain and safeguard public service broadcasting. The findings of the Ofcom review are particularly important as their findings on public service broadcasting will be used in the debate and subsequent policy making surrounding the renewal of the BBC's Royal Charter.
The closing date for submissions was 31 March 2004. Further details can be found at Ofcom or by phoning Ofcom on 0207 981 3000. VLV has now published its response to Phase 1 of Ofcom Public Service Television Review 1 - VLV Ofcom Response - filesize is 137kVLV has grave concerns about some of the assumptions which underlie Ofcom's Review, and the presentation of some of the research quoted within the Report and the accompanying CD. VLV's view is that although Ofcom clearly understands the nature and purposes of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), it seems over-optimistic about the ability of an unregulated broadcasting market to sustain, let alone strengthen, the range and quality of PSB.