Contributions
1,036 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMedia Bill (Fourth sitting)We now turn to part 5 and the provisions affecting radio. Clause 41 is the first of seven clauses through which the Government are updating the legislative framework for the…07 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Fourth sitting)I welcome the hon. Lady’s invitation to speak a little more broadly on radio in general. About 20 years ago, lots of people were saying that radio was in permanent decline. It was…07 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Fourth sitting)My hon. Friend is correct that attention has mainly been focused on small-scale DAB roll-out, which provides options for communities to access more locally based stations. My view…07 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Fourth sitting)Clause 42 makes a number of changes to the Ofcom process for advertising local and restricted service licences and for renewing local licences. The provisions will give Ofcom a…07 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Fourth sitting)The hon. Lady raises a number of issues. I remain a great supporter of the audio content fund, which was created when I was first in the Department and responsible for the renewal…07 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Second sitting)I would just say to the hon. Lady that the list will be kept under review. I note her hostility to the inclusion of the Derby on the list, although I am not sure it would have…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Second sitting)Clause 24 makes amendments to extend Ofcom’s existing powers to gather information and, if necessary, undertake enforcement action to reflect the changes made in clauses 20 to 23.…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Second sitting)I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her indication of support. Essentially, my understanding is exactly that: the division is in effect already there and it had to be formalised…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Second sitting)Clause 26 ensures that our legal framework is up to date—I have to say this with a degree of nostalgia—by removing the now obsolete legal provision for a public teletext service.…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Second sitting)I am very happy to join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the journalists who made Teletext, for a time, such an essential service in keeping the nation updated with news as it…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Second sitting)I commend the clause, with sadness. Question put and agreed to. Clause 26 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 27 Further amendments relating to public service…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (Second sitting)This clause and the Government amendments to it are technical in nature and I hope will not detain the Committee for long. Clause 27 introduces schedule 2, which makes amendments…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)I hear what the hon. Lady says and understand her points. However, as I indicated, the Bill has been in gestation for a long time. I chaired the Culture, Media and Sport Committee…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)The hon. Lady is absolutely right to say that Ofcom has a duty under the Bill to monitor the delivery of the public service remit, but she will be aware that in addition Ofcom has…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)I start by agreeing with both Opposition spokesmen about the importance of supporting the production sector outside London and across every region and nation of the United…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is not just the public service broadcasters that are committing to spending money on production in Scotland; it is right across the range of…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)I am very happy to provide the hon. Lady with a written briefing on exactly how the powers can be used. New clause 1 would put a specific duty on Ofcom to report on how public…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)The past decade has seen a complete transformation in the way in which people access television. Ten years ago, streaming services barely existed; now, they are ubiquitous. That…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)While I completely share the hon. Lady’s love of music and recognition of the importance that broadcasters play in the promotion of music, the purpose of the new remit is to…05 Dec 2023HANSARDMedia Bill (First sitting)Ofcom has a duty to monitor the delivery of the remit, and that includes satisfying itself that there is a sufficient range of genres and that there has not been a diminution of a…05 Dec 2023