Tessa Jowell responds to ITC Programme Supply Review

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has underlined the importance of independent production companies to the broadcasting industry by accepting the vast majority of recommendations from a key review into their role.
Tessa Jowell revealed that the Government had accepted all but two of the recommendations of a review by the Independent Television Commission into the programme supply market.
She commissioned the ITC to undertake the review in August 2002 after concerns were raised by the industry that independent production companies were being disadvantaged.
Some of the recommendations will be taken forward as amendments to the Communications Bill currently going through Parliament.
They include introducing binding codes of practice governing the dealings of broadcasters with independent production companies.
This will apply to Channel 3, Channel 4, five and S4C, and to the BBC through their Agreement with the Secretary of State. The codes will be drawn up by the broadcasters in the light of guidance issued by OFCOM, and will be subject to approval by OFCOM. They will aim to ensure that the terms of trade between broadcasters and independent producers are fair and foster an economically sound independent production industry. OFCOM will be able to use the usual range of sanctions, including fines, if broadcasters fail to comply with the codes.
OFCOM will be given the power to measure the quota of independent productions used by broadcasters by value as well as volume if necessary, and the quota will be applied separately to BBC One and BBC Two.
OFCOM will also be able to require broadcasters to make up any shortfall in meeting the independent quota in subsequent years.
(GB)