Pact backs 'thorough and constructive' Graf review

The independent's trade association Pact has welcomed Philip Graf's "thorough and constructive" review of BBC Online.
Pact said it was "particularly pleased" about Graf's recommendation that the BBC take at least 25% of on-line content (excluding news) from external or independent suppliers by the time the current Charter expires in 2006.
Pact said that many of the recommendations chimed with several key points within Pact's submission to the Graf Review, which call for fair access to market and the appropriate use of the BBC as a vehicle for innovation and sector competence building. Pact believes this would: increase value back to the licence fee payer; increase the range and diversity of content available to BBC Online; bring high quality, innovative suppliers to the BBC; assist in the development of a sustainable independent online content supply sector in the UK; and improve the country's global competitiveness.
Anthony Lilley, managing director of Magic Lantern and chair of Pact's interactive media policy group, said: "Pact supports the BBC in its overarching principle of delivering public value and applauds Philip Graf's recommendation that commissioning a significant proportion of online content from outside the BBC is a key way of achieving this. We look forward to working closely with the executives at the BBC to make these proposals a reality by the end of the year."
Claire Scally, Pact's interactive media executive, added: "A significant commitment by the BBC to harness the creativity and innovation of independent content producers within its interactive services can only be a good thing for the Corporation, the independent sector and, most importantly, the licence fee payer."
(gmcg)