The NUJ welcomes Ofcom’s review of television news provision in the UK. With digital switchover in progress it is vital that the new ecology of broadcasting in the digital age is determined now and not left until it is too late.
In the light of the recent announcement by ITV of its intentions to drastically reduce its regional news coverage this need has become even more acute. Ofcom has a responsibility to fulfil its legal obligations to ‘maintain and strengthen’ public service broadcasting in the UK. We urge Ofcom to be open minded about alternative models for funding regional news some of which are detailed below.
Section 1: Maintaining plurality and protecting news for the nations and regions.
The NUJ is looking at the regulatory and statutory options for ensuring a strong future for PSB programming. In particular, we are looking at ways to maintain and strengthen regional, national and international news coverage.
The NUJ believes that significant public service programming including regional news and non-news should be made available free to air, on all platforms.
We believe the Government should set the regulatory framework and ask Ofcom to ensure its policies are carried out.
It is not the case, as Ofcom has suggested, that regulation is more difficult post switchover.
The scarcity of DTT spectrum and the range of delivery options available shows that a new system, based on the principle of universality and the provision of PSB programming, can be the basis for a new compact.
So far, the debate around PSB post-switchover has concentrated on the idea that the regulator has fewer incentives to offer broadcasters in order to persuade them to continue (or commence) significant public service broadcasting.
However this is not the case. Primary legislation may be required but new levers could be deployed to ensure that quality PSB continues.
Tax exemptions or reductions concerning licence fees and spectrum fees (if these are introduced) should be among the options considered.
Other possible measures are outlined below:
Ofcom and the Government are currently considering what to do with the new spectrum available once the analogue spectrum has been switched off. Some of the terrestrial PSB organisations are lobbying to be given gifted spectrum (to be used for HDTV). If this were to happen, it would greatly benefit the citizen, many of whom are expecting to receive a free-to-air HD service post switchover. [1]
Free-to-air HD television is something that would serve audiences well and should be part of public policy.
However, the NUJ believes that spectrum should only be given in return for specific PSB commitments.
In the same way that the analogue PSB compact relied on the terrestrial broadcasters providing certain desirable PBS goals in return for access to the analogue spectrum, some spectrum capacity should be set aside for PSB organisations that guarantee to provide continued PSB commitments.
ITV PSB commitments have been relaxed in recent years. This is something the NUJ has campaigned against. However, at present for ITV, the key component of their PSB offering remains their local, national and international news.
We note the Ofcom suggestion that national and international news would continue even if there were no regulation on ITV1. However, the NUJ does not accept this view. It is imperative that ITV remain committed to providing a quality news service. Although the economics of such programming remain favourable, and the current leadership of ITV appear committed to national and international news, this cannot be taken for granted. Owners change, as do the economics of broadcasting. Therefore Ofcom needs to ‘future-proof’ the delivery of this public good by ensuring that effective regulation is in place.
In analogue terrestrial television, the Government has enshrined certain ‘listed’ events (e.g. sporting) in legislation. These must be available to the public free-to-air. In the digital age broadcasters holding PSB status could be given certain commercial advantages in bidding for these specified ‘listed’ events. As above, in return, broadcasters would commit to providing free-to-air content across all platforms, including providing specific PSB characteristics such as regional, national and international news.
Section 2: Impartiality
The NUJ believes impartiality rules for PSB broadcasters should not be relaxed and should remain a legal requirement. However we sympathise with concerns about the existence of regulated and unregulated services side by side. We think this mixed landscape makes it even more important that impartiality is maintained across television services. It is questionable whether previous definitions of impartiality, relying on a political left/right axis, were appropriate. In a modern context broadcasters should use a wider definition of impartiality, similar to that described in the recent BBC report ‘From Seesaw to Wagon Wheel’.
Section 3: Engagement and Disengagement
The NUJ agrees with Ofcom that issues surrounding political disengagement go much wider than broadcasting. However we believe that broadcasters have an obligation to seek to engage with all audiences and communities. In many ways this ties in with the impartiality issue raised above. In addition it’s about greater technological access for people. The NUJ supports the delivery of news on multiple platforms and via mobile devices.
Section 4: Conclusion
We welcome the start of Ofcom’s PSB review and we will fully participate in the continuing debate about all broadcasting-related issues. Our response to the ‘New News Future News’ document should be considered in the context of our continued participation in this wider debate. We will continue to explore the ideas contained within this submission and look forward to Ofcom’s comments on them.
[1] One related point is that many retailers have sold the new technology, in particular, High Definition TVs irresponsibly. This is something the regulator should take into consideration and deal with, in conjunction with other regulatory organisations and Government.