Ofcom to hold nationwide seminars on public service television

Ofcom has announced a series of six public research seminars in locations around the UK as part of its comprehensive 12-month review of public service broadcasting.
Taking part in the seminars will be individuals from local communities who will be contributing in a structured day of discussion and analysis, and then be asked for their views on a range of options for public service broadcasting in the UK today. Their opinions will play a key part in informing the various research components of the review, and will help add depth to the results of Ofcom's comprehensive survey of 6,000 respondents (announced on November 6 2003).
Ed Richards, Ofcom's senior partner leading the project, said: "We want to hear everybody's views, their concerns, needs and expectations for future public service broadcasting. These seminars will help us capture the views of people throughout the UK who are the most avid consumers of television but are often excluded from the broader debate about its future."
Each seminar will be attended by a member of Ofcom's Content Board, a senior representative of the public service broadcasting project team and experts from the broadcasting sector.

The events will take place in:
Leeds - January 29
Norwich - February 5
Belfast - February 11
Plymouth - February 17
Swansea - February 19
Glasgow - February 24

In parallel, Ofcom will also be holding a series of discussion meetings with interested parties from industry, consumer groups and broadcasters to hear their views on the contribution of public service broadcasters in key genres such as news, sports, children and education, and also in areas such as citizenship, culture and democracy.
(GB)