Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 42
Government prefers Ofcom to define "significant" users for radio selection services.
Conclusion
We acknowledge the Government’s preference to avoid putting in primary legislation a number specifying what a “significant” number of users is and what “used by” means. In order to adapt to reflect changes in technology and audience habits, we believe that these terms may be best judged by Ofcom under delegated powers. Accordingly, we welcome Ofcom’s role in informing the regulations designating or specifying radio selection services and the duty on the Secretary of State to give reasons if her regulations differ materially from Ofcom’s recommendations.
Government Response Summary
The Government welcomes the Committee’s feedback and recognises that there may be situations where de-designation of a service is required, and the Bill has been amended to include a specific process for an RSS to apply for de-designation.
Paragraph Reference:
42
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government welcomes the Committee’s feedback in relation to this issue. The provisions contained within this Part of the Bill are device-neutral (in contrast to those relating to online television prominence), and intended to apply to the voice-activated services which process the responses to listener commands wherever those services may be found. However, the Government recognises that there may be situations where de-designation of a service is required (i.e. where a significant number of users no longer access radio from it), and the Bill has been amended to include a specific process for an RSS to apply for de-designation.