The most immediate and obvious area in which broadcasting regulation needs to remain distinctive is that of programme content. In our view, however, it is vital to recognise that content cannot simply be separated from the underlying structural aspects of the broadcasting sector. In particular, the issue of market power, vertical integration and concentration of ownership are elements that cannot be ignored if we wish to retain a broadcast media that is democratic and pluralistic. We would therefore propose that any future broadcasting regulator should have a clear remit to deal with concentration of ownership, media cross-ownership and all issues arising from the anticipated EU initiative on pluralism and concentration. Other structural aspects concern the economics of original programme production.
Broadcasting is far from being a free market.
These regulations are structural rather than content-related, but we believe it will be equally important for a future broadcasting regulator to retain responsibility in such areas. Ironically, the one area in which we believe broadcasting regulation could benefit from a rationalisation and unification of separate bodies is precisely that of programme content. Under the previous Conservative government we saw the establishment of a surfeit of separate regulators on content - especially the Broadcasting Standards Council and Broadcasting Complaints Commission. These have now been combined into the Broadcasting Standards Commission. We see no reason, however, for the continued separate existence of such a body, and no reason why its functions should not be subsumed under any existing or future broadcasting regulators.