Press Release - 19 February 2004

Immediate

VLV's Spring Conference Programme 2004

Looks to the Future of public service broadcasting and the new technology

VLV's 21st Spring  conference programme will focus on the future for public service broadcasting in the UK and worldwide, starting with an evening meeting to consider BBC Charter Review and Ofcom's Review of Public Service Broadcasting, and including VLV's 9th international conference.

Thursday, 4 March:  5.00pm - 7.30pm at the Foreign Press Association, 
10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1.  Tea / Coffee from 4.30pm.

This special evening meeting will include presentations on and discussion of the DCMS consultation on BBC Charter Review and Ofcom's Review of Public Service Broadcasting across all terrestrial television channels.

Both consultations have deadlines of 31 March for submissions by members of the public.
Tickets:  £10 each, include light refreshments from 4.30pm.

VLV's 9th International conference

VLV's 9th International conference
Mon & Tues 26 and 27 April: Broadcasting & Civil Society in the Digital Age.
09.30 - 5.00pm.  The Royal Society, 6 - 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1

Lord McIntosh of Haringey, UK Minister for Broadcasting will open VLV's 9th International conference on 26 May and welcome delegates on behalf of the UK Government.  He will speak at 09.30am. 

During the two day event, key speakers and delegates from the UK and overseas will consider the role, funding and future for public service broadcasting and communications in an increasingly competitive global media market. 

Policy areas will include: the effect of revisions to the European Directive on trans-frontier television; WTO policies re audio-visual services; developments arising from the WSIS; and the impact of increasingly concentrated global media ownership on indigenous cultures, language and values and on access to  plurality of sources of information, ideas and indigenous sport.

Conference fee, including lunch and refreshments each day: £411.25.  Earlybird discount for payments by 20 February: £353.50. Concessions on request.

Thursday, 29 April: Public Service Broadcasting: safe in whose hands? 
11.00 - 4.45pm at Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, off Euston Road, London WC1.  Coffee from 10.30am.

Keynote speakers:  at 11.00am - Stephen Carter, Chief Executive, Ofcom. 
At 3pm - Mark Byford, Acting Director General of the BBC.

1.45pm: Presentation of VLV's 2003 Awards for Excellence in Radio and Television 
Tickets: £99.88, include lunch, refreshments and the Awards presentation.  Concessions on request.

Commenting, VLV chairman, Jocelyn Hay said: 'This spring sees two vitally important public consultations on the future of broadcasting in Britain.  The public is largely unaware of them, yet the outcomes will affect not only the programme choices open to individual listeners and viewers, but whether our terrestrial channels will be able to continue providing a public service which nourishes and sustains British cultural and democratic life.'

VLV is holding its meeting on 4 March to stimulate debate and encourage every person to seize the opportunity to respond and make their views known through these crucially important consultations.

Booking form.

For further information contact: Jocelyn Hay on 01474 - 352835  or e-mail : vlv@btinterent.com 

Recent News page