Think-tank to advise on media policy

[BGonaSTICK]

Culture secretary James Purnell has announced the creation of a convergence think-tank to advise ministers on future broadcasting policy. Purnell told the Royal Television Society's Cambridge Convention that the think-tank would include "experts from both inside and outside government" and would consider the future of public service broadcasting in 2008.

Purnell hinted that the think-tank could start to draw up proposals for a new communications act, focusing on a new regulatory system in the era of digital-only broadcasting. Purnell said the goals of that new system would be "first, an open market, perhaps with a greater reliance on principles than on detailed rules. Second, the very best broadcasting should be open to everyone. And third, consumers should be in charge".

"Democracy is enriched by diverse broadcasting, available to everyone. In the confusion of change, it will be the quality of the content you offer that will determine the fates in the future. The future of broadcasting isn't in my hands. It's in yours," he told RTS members.

Purnell said "enormous progress" had been made on digital switchover, which will begin next month in Whitehaven. "Over 80% of households now have digital TV and Digital UK's figures show that awareness of digital switchover has climbed to nine out of 10 people. And I welcome today's announcement by the retailers and manufacturers that they will phase out analogue products ahead of switchover.

"I know that many of you in this room have been putting huge efforts into this transition. Of course, it's a process that will inevitably encounter some hitches and glitches. After all, it's as complex as carrying out decimalisation and North Sea gas conversion at the same time.

"But if we didn't have the courage to make the transition, millions would be stuck in an analogue ghetto, with fewer channels to choose from and fewer platforms. They would be paying for BBC digital services they were never going to see."

Source: dtg