DCMS Dismisses Emergency Legislation Plea

The Government has dismissed the ITC’s calls for interim legislation allowing the creation of a single ITV as “neither practical nor desirable.”

A spokesperson for The DCMS responded to calls made yesterday by the ITC’s chairman Sir Robin Biggam, to relax the “hopelessly outdated” cross media ownership regulations ahead of the planned OFCOM legislation in 2003 (see ITC Chief Calls For Interim Legislation), saying: “The Government understands the importance to businesses of getting ahead with changes, but it needs to get the legislation on media ownership right so that it stands the test of time in a rapidly changing market place.”

“The proposals on media ownership will be brought forward as a single coherent package in the forthcoming Communications Bills. It is neither practical nor desirable to deal with this issue in a piecemeal fashion,” added the government spokesperson.

The Government has proposed to relax the cross media regulations, which currently prevent Carton and Granada from forming a single ITV, in its OFCOM legislation, which is planned for 2003.

Biggam warned that this would come too late to counteract the current economic difficulties faced by the commercial TV sector, that he says need to be adressed now in order to achieve “a dynamic and prosperous communications sector in the UK.”

DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov

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