Government accepts recommendations on Draft Communications Bill

The UK government yesterday accepted the vast majority of recommendations made by a Parliamentary Committee on the Draft Communications Bill. The Bill aims to update and simplify the current regulatory framework for the telecoms industry, and to reform the rules on media ownership.31 Oct 2002

The Committee made 148 recommendations on the draft, of which 120 were accepted. These include:

  • Fining the BBC for regulatory breaches;
  • Clarifying how self-regulation fits within the new framework; and
  • Increasing the size of the OFCOM (Office of Communications) Board. Under the proposed legislation, OFCOM will be the new single telecoms regulator, incorporating the functions of the five existing regulators (Oftel, Independent Television Commission, Radio Authority, Broadcasting Standards Commission and Radiocommunications Agency.)

The Government's response to the report by the Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Bill can be found at:
www.communicationsbill.gov.uk.

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