View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
July 19, 2001updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

New media ownership rules delayed until 2003

By Press Gazette

 

Media Secretary Tessa Jowell has dealt media chiefs a fresh blow by revealing the earliest date cross-media ownership rules can be eased will be mid-2003.

Jowell won her battle with business managers to introduce a six-clause bill to set up the new communications regulator Ofcom.

But while Ofcom will be allowed to shadow existing regulators, such as the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Independent Television Comm-ission and Oftel, it will not have any powers until the main communications bill becomes law.

And in an explanatory note, Jowell told peers the earliest this could be expected was mid-2003.

If the bill is introduced late in the session, Royal Assent could be delayed until October or November that year.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The Government also came under fire this week for its plan to exclude the BBC from the full regulation of Ofcom. Broadcasting minister Kim Howells clashed with Tory Shadow Media Secretary Peter Ainsworth when he asked at media questions what the point was of reform if the BBC, with almost 40 per cent of audience share, was excluded. Howells told him: "We never promised to include the regulation of the BBC – or, at least the core of BBC regulation – as part of that new legislation."

Jowell’s admission about the timing of the bill means any liberalisation of media ownership rules will not get government approval until three years after the communications white paper invited the industry to present its case for reform.

Peers will be asked to vote on the second reading of the office of communications bill on 15 October, the first day Parliament reassembles after its three-month summer break.

But the main communications bill is being delayed to allow ministers to outline their ownership proposals in a draft bill next year. Publishers will then be consulted over a three-month period before final decisions are made.

The delay is bound to fuel suspicions Tony Blair has shunted the media ownership issue into the slow lane because of the possibility of a referendum on the euro. While Rupert Murdoch’s Sun is hostile to the euro, BSkyB wants to move into terrestrial television.

Publishers will look for assurances Ofcom will not threaten self-regulation of the newspaper industry. There will also be concern over the effect it could have on newspaper websites.

By David rose

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network