Recommendation 6

Ofcom intends for audiences to be able to find and access a wide range of content, including public service media, produced across the UK and reflecting its diversity. It is aware of the rapidly changing behaviour of those audiences and says it does not wish to stifle broadcasters’ innovation but to support them to serve audiences in this challenging environment. Questioned by the Committee on its track record as regulator, Ofcom said that there were instances when it had declined requests from broadcasters to amend their licences. We note that it has also called for a review of how the Public Service Broadcasters are regulated and we would wish to see a more robust approach as the outcome of that review in terms of both exercising its existing powers and with any additional powers that might require a legislative underpinning. The Committee’s view is that Ofcom should not be inhibited in making full use of the tools at its disposal. Its focus on recognising the need for broadcasters to adapt comes with a risk of overlooking the public interest in terms of local news or those aspects of Public Service Broadcasting that are less about audience ratings and more about diversity of voice and place. The point being that people wish to see their lives reflected in what they watch or listen to. We encourage Ofcom to give due weight to these considerations in all its decision making and ask for examples of how it has done so in recent decisions about PSB licences.