United Kingdom/ 4.2 Recent policy issues and debates  

4.2.5 Media pluralism and content diversity

The UK government believes that programming should appeal to a wide range of tastes and interests, and to people of different ages and backgrounds. This is reflected in the current regulatory arrangements.

The BBC's Royal Charter and its agreement with the government include obligations to provide a properly balanced service consisting of a wide range of subject matter and to serve the tastes and needs of different audiences. There are five analogue terrestrial channels - BBC1, BBC 2, ITV 1, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Under the terms of current legislation, ITV and Channel 5 are required to provide a range of high quality and diverse programming. Channel 4 has a statutory duty to provide a broad range of high quality and diverse programming which, among other requirements, demonstrates innovation in programme content, appeals to the interests of a culturally diverse society and includes educational programmes.

Under the 1990 and the 1996 Broadcasting Acts, ITV 1, Channel 4, Channel 5, National Radio Licence holders and digital terrestrial programme licence holders are also required to promote equality of opportunity in employment between men and women and between persons of different racial groups. Within this framework, decisions about programme content and presentation are a matter for the regulators and the broadcasters themselves. They have set out detailed requirements in Ofcom's Programme Code and the BBC's Producer Guidelines, and these cover the specific issue of the portrayal of ethnic minorities in programming.

The Communications Act 2003 established Ofcom as the independent media regulatory body, replacing five prior regulators. The work of Ofcom and the Communications Act are intended to ensure that commercial television and radio, telecommunications networks and wireless and satellite services operate, compete and develop in the greater public interest. Ofcom also has a number of powers in relation to BBC television and radio and advises the Secretary of State on proposed newspaper mergers.

A new BBC Charter and Agreement took effect on 1 January 2007, following a comprehensive review of the Corporation's role, functions and structure. Major changes have been made to the BBC's governance arrangements, involving the creation of a new, more transparent and accountable BBC Trust to oversee the Corporation, with ultimate responsibility for the licence fee and for ensuring that the BBC fulfils its Public Purposes. Six new purposes for the BBC have been set out in the new Charter (until the next renewal, due 31 December 2016):

• sustaining citizenship and civil society - increasing understanding through news and current affairs;
• education and learning - stimulating interest in a range of subjects via accessible learning materials;
• creativity and culture - enriching the cultural life of the UK, promoting interest, engagement and participation in cultural activity among new audiences;
• representation of nations, regions and communities - reflecting and strengthening cultural identities and, on occasion, bringing audiences from across the UK together for shared experiences;
• bringing the world to the UK and the UK to the world - making audiences aware of international issues and the different viewpoints and cultures of people living outside the UK; and
• building digital Britain - supporting UK audiences through digital switchover

The new BBC Charter also announced a six-year licence fee settlement, providing for annual nominal increases in the licence fee of 3% for the first two years, and 2% in years three, four and five. This means the price of a colour TV licence will rise from its current level of GBP 131.50 per year to a figure of up to GBP 151.50 in 2012.

The Communications Act 2003 requires Ofcom to carry out regular reviews of the fulfilment of the public service television remit set out in the Act. In its first such review, completed in 2005, Ofcom set out a framework of the purposes and characteristics of public service television. Ofcom has now embarked on its second such review and has indicated that its new review will:

• evaluate how effectively the public service broadcasters are delivering the purposes and characteristics of public service broadcasting, particularly in the light of changes in the way TV content is distributed and consumed;
• assess the case for continued intervention in the delivery of TV content to secure public service purposes;
• consider whether and how the growth of new ways of delivering content to consumers and citizens might create new opportunities for achieving the goals of public service broadcasting, as well as posing new challenges; and
• assess future options for funding, delivering and regulating public service broadcasting, in light of these challenges and opportunities, and uncertainty about the sustainability of existing funding models.

Television broadcasters have set up a Cultural Diversity Network (CDN) which has produced an action plan to integrate ethnic minorities into television at all levels, in response to concerns raised by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and others about the adequacy of the representation of the UK's multicultural society on and behind the screen.

The Film Council has similarly set up a Leadership on Diversity group for film to improve diversity and inclusion in film in the UK. It has also undertaken a range of initiatives in line with the policy commitments of this strategy, such as establishing industry partnerships focused on delivering change in relation to film.

In recent years there has been much (and, arguably, unresolved) media debate about "dumbing down" - the notion that quality is being sacrificed in the arts and broadcasting in the pursuit of broadening the audience base.

The regulation of broadcasting is a UK government matter, but there is strong representation of the UK's nations and regions and each has a substantial production base. While individual commissioning decisions are the responsibility of broadcasters, the Communications Act 2003 requires Ofcom to set quotas for production outside London.   

From this perspective, Scottish Ministers recognise the importance of the role of broadcasting in providing access to the diversity of Scotland's cultures and creative achievements. They consider it vital that greater production and commissioning powers are established within Scotland to achieve a more accurate reflection of Scottish culture nationally, within the UK, and internationally. The Screen Industries Summit Group for Scotland (SISG) is a high level strategic "think tank" appointed by Ministers to make recommendations about key actions and levers to achieve growth and sustainability for the screen industries in Scotland.

The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission (NIFTC) believes that the historic exposure of negative images through film, television and print media have been the single largest contributor to the perception of problems that face Northern Ireland. It feels that sustained film and television exposure of Northern Ireland, in all its facets and cultures, offers a major opportunity to alter this negative perception, build confidence and develop the identity of Northern Ireland. In this connection, it is committed to developing Northern Ireland's resident talent so that it can expose Northern Ireland's diverse cultures on an international stage.

See also chapter 4.2.1 and chapter 5.3.1.

Chapter updated: 29-11-2008