Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 11
Provide Ofcom with clearer guidance on enforcing local radio's news obligations.
Recommendation
Local news and information is what makes many people turn to local radio and we agree that the Government should prioritise this area. However, we are concerned that Ofcom regards its responsibilities as unclear, especially given that the Government committed six years ago to providing greater clarity. We recommend the Government provide Ofcom with clearer guidance regarding enforcement of the obligation on local radio to provide locally-gathered news. This guidance should either be included on the face of the Bill, or published alongside the introduction of the Bill to ensure Parliament is able to scrutinise it appropriately.
Government Response Summary
The government made technical changes to the Bill and updated Explanatory Notes to clarify local news obligations on the face of the Bill, but decided not to publish further separate guidance at this stage.
Paragraph Reference:
11
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Government accepts the principle that the definition and enforcement of the obligations on local radio to provide locally-gathered news could be clearer. We have therefore made some technical changes to the Bill to do so. The Explanatory Notes have also been updated to reflect that additional clarity now on the face of the Bill. Given those changes, the Government does not intend to publish further guidance on these provisions at this stage. The Government has worked closely with Ofcom on the drafting of these provisions and, as the independent regulator, Ofcom is best placed to monitor and draw up additional guidance on this issue.