BSC REPORT SAYS REGULATION SHOULD CONTINUE

LAUNCHING his first Annual Review as Chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Commission, Lord Dubs of Battersea, reported that the Commission’s research continues to show that citizens and consumers remain firmly rooted in the belief that some regulation should continue.
The report notes that especially to protect privacy, children and vulnerable groups from harmful or offensive material, regulation is essential.
The Commission believes that in the move towards OFCOM it will be important to balance these firm expectations with increased broadcaster responsibility and flexible but clear regulation.
The Commission reported on the collaborative measures they have agreed with other regulatory bodies to work towards the establishment of the new regulatory structure. These include signing a ‘concordat’ with the Radio Authority to avoid double jeopardy in the handling of complaints; joint research projects with the ITC as part of a co-operative agreement; and agreeing a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with the other four regulatory bodies - ITC, Radio Authority, Radiocommunications Agency and Oftel - who will form part of OFCOM.
The Chairman, Lord Dubs, said: "The Commission will continue to play an active role supporting other regulators and the Government in the transition towards a new regulatory framework. However, it is essential that the citizen rights’ issues and consideration of the public interest, which remain at the heart of the Commission’s mission, are not lost in the new communications world.
"Through the Commission’s research we have found that although people still want regulation they expect it to be in conjunction with effective self-regulation and greater citizen empowerment"
Concerns about standards issues continue to attract the majority of complaints. In 2000-2001, the total number of standards complaints received by the Commission increased by 3 per cent (from 4,762 in 1999-2000 to 4,920 in 2000-2001). Of the total number of complaints received, the Commission upheld 10 per cent. General taste and decency issues account for the largest proportion of complaints, all other areas of complaints remained relatively consistent with hardly any variation.
The Commission’s most recent annual survey of public attitudes to broadcasting and actual television output is also in keeping with these trends. The data showed that while people are generally more relaxed about the portrayal of violence or sex, and the use of swearing/offensive language. The research indicates that scheduling and context remain crucial to audience acceptance.
During the course of the year, the Commission’s research programme has continued to produce significant and challenging material, which helps inform broadcasters, regulators and the public about shifting audience attitudes and a better sense of audience expectations.
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