Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Paragraph: 25
Urgently pursue technical engagement with stakeholders and provide progress update.
Recommendation
The radio industry and platforms raised legitimate concerns about the extent to which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has examined the implications of the legislation. That the Department did not publish a full impact assessment for the radio selection services provisions alongside those for other Parts of the Bill has made it more difficult for us, and those directly affected by the Bill, to consider the impact it will have. While we support the overall aims and provisions of the Bill, we recognise that they are a step-change for the sector and it is vital that the Government 22 Draft Media Bill: Radio Measures engages with platforms and other technology stakeholders significantly and at pace to get the detail right. We urge the Government to pursue its technical engagement with stakeholders with the utmost urgency and to provide an update on progress to us when the House returns in September. We urge the Government to pursue its technical engagement with stakeholders with the utmost urgency and to provide an update on progress to us when the House returns in September.
Government Response Summary
The government asserts that it has extensively engaged with stakeholders on policy and technical details throughout the process, including making changes in response to concerns raised. Furthermore, it confirms that a full Regulatory Impact Assessment on Part 6 of the Bill has now been published and rated fit-for-purpose, directly addressing a key concern.
Paragraph Reference:
25
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government has engaged stakeholders on the policy and technical detail throughout the process of developing its understanding of this area and drafting these measures. The Digital Radio and Audio Review provided an opportunity for both the radio industry and the tech sector to identify and discuss the key issues relating to the growth of online listening, and at draft publication, the department had significant technical engagement with the platforms, with stakeholders being given the opportunity to consider and discuss drafting suggestions. DCMS Ministers and officials have continued engagement with stakeholders since publication of the draft Bill. Changes were made in response to concerns raised by tech platforms to make the provisions work better in practice (see for example the response below to recommendation 13 of the Committee’s Interim Report). The Committee may wish to note that a full Regulatory Impact Assessment on Part 6 of the Bill has been published, and has been rated fit-for-purpose by the independent Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC).