Information about Voice of the Listener & Viewer

 

What is VLV?

Voice of The Listener & Viewer (VLV) represents the citizen and consumer interests in broadcasting, and speaks for listeners and viewers on the full range of broadcasting issues. Described in the press recently as ' the most important champion of television and radio consumers by consistently pressing for the retention and extension of high quality public service broadcasting,' * VLV was founded by Jocelyn Hay CBE in 1983.

VLV is free from political, commercial and sectarian affiliations. It is concerned with the regulation, issues, funding, structures and institutions which underpin the British broadcasting system, and supports the principles of public service broadcasting. VLV does not handle individual complaints.

 

VLV's Aims

Voice of the Listener & Viewer's aims are to:

Safeguard the quality, diversity and editorial integrity of broadcast programmes

Promote wider choice of high quality programmes

Fight undue influence over broadcasting by commercial, political, sectarian or other interests

Raise awareness of the crucial role broadcasting plays in democracy and in our national and community life and culture

Work to ensure that the opportunities innovation and new digital technologies provide are developed for the benefit of all

Promote the potential of broadcasting and digital media to contribute to education in formal institutions and informal settings throughout the lifespan

 

VLV's Objectives

Current objectives are to:

Safeguard the independence of BBC governance and the quality and range of BBC programmes and services by supporting the licence fee until such time as another method is developed that provides the same benefits

Monitor the work of relevant regulatory bodies, and try to ensure that they function in the interests of
listeners and viewers

Safeguard the future of Channel 4 as a public corporation with a public service remit and monitor how it fulfils that special remit

Monitor the growth of cable, satellite and subscription services, and their impact on terrestrial and free- to-view services

Support research into all aspects of broadcasting, including innovation in the sector and digital media

Publish regular reports and briefings on broadcasting issues and, through VLV's quarterly news Bulletin, public events and website help to develop an informed and appreciative audience for British broadcasting

Support innovative developments in broadcasting and digital media that bridge the digitial divide and so ensure that high quality, affordable content can be accessed by all

Provide an open forum for the discussion of broadcasting issues and digitial media by holding seminars and public conferences on topical themes at affordable prices throughout the UK

Monitor the provision of children's and educational broadcast programmes and promote their continuing importance through the activities of the VLV Forums for Children's and Educational Broadcasting

Support the principles of public service broadcasting around the world

* (Roy Greenslade, Evening Standard 1st October 2008)