Final Communications Bill draft backs BBC

Today's publication of the Government's much-discussed Communication Bill has given a welcome boost to the BBC's row with BSkyB over the latter's carriage of public service broadcasters.
Despite intense speculation that the Bill would fall in favour of BSkyB and allow them to charge the BBC and Channel 4 full commercial rates, the Government have taken new powers to intervene in any disagreement.
The clause severely weakens BSkyB's bargaining position in negotiations, due to commence next year.
The Communications Bill, for which Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, and Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, are jointly responsible, will revamp the media regulatory framework, aiming to introduce greater flexibility to respond to the technological and market changes driving modern media and communications.
A draft of the Bill was published in May 2002. Since then it has been the subject of an extensive public consultation process and has undergone pre-legislative scrutiny by a Parliamentary Committee chaired by Lord Puttnam.
Tessa Jowell and Patricia Hewitt have stressed that pre-legislative scrutiny has led to a vastly improved Bill.
One of Lord Puttnam's key recommendations, however, that the Government should reconsider allowing foreign ownership of terrestrial broadcasters, has been ignored, clearing the way for Rupert Murdoch to buy into five or ITV if he desired.
Explaining the logic behind the Bill, Ms Jowell said: "This is a highly deregulatory bill, but at every stage of deregulation, broadcasting content will be protected.
"This bill went through an almost unparalleled process of scrutiny and consultation leading up to its publication today. This has been democratic debate at its very best and has played an essential role in shaping its final form."
The bill will now be sent to parliament, and although there are likely to be objections from some backbenchers, it is expected to become law by autumn 2003.
(GB)