The House of Lords Select Committee on Communications recently called for submissions to its inquiry on the future of journalism. In the context of the Covid-19 crisis - in which we have seen a huge decline in advertising revenue combined with a massive spike in demand for quality news - supporting independent and critical journalism is especially significant. The MRC's … [Read more...]
When “measuring” is a substitute for action: the government’s consultation on media ownership
By Des Freedman Right in the middle of the summer, and without much fanfare, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published two documents that reveal its plans for the media and communication sectors. Perhaps it thought that no one would notice. The first is a ‘strategy document’, Connectivity, Content and Consumers, effectively a white paper on digital … [Read more...]
Royal Charters and media independence: past lessons
Media Reform welcomes Hacked Off’s statement that the government’s proposals for a Royal Charter to guide independent press regulation are ‘overcomplicated and undemocratic’. We thought it might be helpful to remind people of the very similar concerns that were highlighted by the House of Lords Communications Committee in its report on BBC Charter Review back in 2005. Its … [Read more...]