Britain: An official handbook > 1993

BRITAIN 1993: AN OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
140 independent local radio (ILR) services
are also available to local communities
throughout Britain. Further local stations are
planned. Stations supply a comprehensive
service of local news and information, music
and other entertainment, education, consumer
advice and coverage of local events. ‘Phone-
in’ programmes allowing listeners to express
their views on air are popular. About 90 per
cent of the population is within range of BBC
or ILR stations.
Broadcasting Complaints Commission
The Broadcasting Complaints Commission,
an independent statutory body, deals with
complaints of unfair treatment in broadcast
programmes and of unwarranted infringement
of privacy in programmes or in their
preparation. In 1991-92 it received 1,048
complaints. Details of complaints made and
decisions reached are published annually.
Government Approach to Broadcasting
During the last few years broadcasting in
Britain has seen radical changes. The
availability of more radio frequencies,
together with satellite, cable and microwave
transmissions, has made a greater number of
local, national and international services
possible. Moreover, the technical quality of
sound and pictures is improving. In response
to rapidly developing technology and rising
public demand for a wider choice of
programmes and services, the Government
introduced the Broadcasting Act 1990 with
the aim of making the regulatory framework
for broadcasting more flexible and efficient
and giving viewers and listeners access to a
broader range of services. At the same time
the Act aims to promote increased
competition and to maintain high standards
of taste and decency.
The 1990 Act takes full account of the
need for programme quality and diversity,
regional links, widespread ownership of
broadcasting companies and proper
geographical coverage, and makes provision
for ‘sharply focused statutory safeguards’
backed by enforcement sanctions, including
financial penalties.
Changes introduced by the Broadcasting
Act 1990
The Broadcasting Act 1990 overhauled the
regulation of independent television and radio
and allowed the introduction of additional
services.
In 1991 the Independent Broadcasting
Authority (IBA) was replaced by the
Independent Television Commission, the
Radio Authority and a new transmission
and engineering company (National
Transcommunications Limited—see below),
which is now wholly privately owned. At the
same time the Cable Authority, set up in
1984, was made part of the ITC.
The ITC and the Radio Authority issue
licences to commercial broadcasters and
enforce rules to ensure diversity of
ownership:
• The ITC awards major broadcasting
licences by competitive tender to the
highest bidders satisfying stipulated
quality tests.
• The Radio Authority awards national
radio licences by competitive tender to
the highest cash bidders. Local radio
licences are not allocated by competitive
tender; the success of licence applications
is in part determined by audience
demand and the extent to which
prospective stations would increase
variety.
Both organisations were initially able to
take out government loans, but are obliged to
repay these and to support themselves from
licence fees within three years. Although
regulation is light, rules are enforced so that
ownership remains widely spread and undue
concentrations and cross-media ownership are
kept in check.
The ITC has advertised a new national
independent television station, Channel 5,
and is considering the single bid received for
it. Three national commercial radio stations
are being established. Opportunities also exist
for launching hundreds of independent local
radio and television channels. Provision was
made in the Broadcasting Act for the former
IBA’s television and radio transmission
networks to be privatised. In 1991 the IBA
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