DCMS: Reports, meetings, hearings

[DracoM]

House of Commons: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

NEW INQUIRY: The future of public service broadcasting
DCMS Committee launches inquiry into the future of public service broadcasting

MPs will consider the future of public service broadcasting (PSB) in a digital age. How PSB is funded, the content offered and how it is regulated will be examined against alternative subscription, streaming services and Freeview services.

In addition to the BBC, other broadcasters with PSB responsibilities are ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and in the devolved regions, STV in Scotland, S4C in Wales and UTV in Northern Ireland.

The inquiry follows several developments that concern the BBC, including the government’s consultation on decriminalising licence fee evasion and the cost of funding free TV licences for those aged over 75 from June. The financial impact on the BBC, including cuts to some parts of its services, will form part of a broader examination of funding models.


Terms of Reference

The Committee invites written evidence from those who wish to contribute to the inquiry on the following areas:

Regulation: Are the current regulations and obligations placed on PSBs, in return for benefits such as prominence and public funding, proportionate? What (if any regulation) should be introduced for SVoDs and other streaming services?
Representation: How would representation be protected if changes were made to the PSB model? How would the nations and regions be affected by changes to the PSB model? Is the ‘quota’ system the most efficient way to maintain and improve representation in broadcasting?
Accessibility: How would changes to the PSB model affect the accessibility of services? How would a wholly internet-based service compare to the current PSB model?
Impact: What value, if any, do PSBs bring to the UK in terms of economic (local and national), cultural and societal impact?
Looking ahead: What should a PSB look like in a digital age? What services should they provide, and to whom? In what way, and to whom, should they be accountable? Is the term ‘public service broadcasting’ still relevant and, if not, what is a suitable alternative?


The Committee is inviting written submissions by 17.00 on Thursday 30 April 2020 not exceeding 3000 words and uploaded to the website in word format.

NOTES:

The BBC’s remit on public service broadcasting is set out in its Charter, whereas ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are provided for in the Communications Act 2003. In return for public funding—of which the BBC is the biggest recipient—the main priority of a PSB is to broadcast content intended for the public benefit, rather than for commercial gain.
PSBs are funded in part, and to different extents, by the TV licence fee. The TV licence fee is currently a legal obligation for anyone wishing to watch live broadcast television or use the BBC’s catch-up service, iPlayer.

[Dave2002]

Maybe things have all changed, due to the current health situation. Will that make a difference to the way people "think" or react?

I don't know. There's surely a very good case to be made for supporting the BBC in the future, based on what's going on in the UK now, but the issue of the nurses - from 2017 - does also suggest that there are people in the UK who just don't care.

Probably worth putting in a considered response anyway, though, although some (many) of those consultation things are rigged. It'd be interesting to know if the final report has already been written!

[DracoM]

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

EVIDENCE SESSION: Work of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Wednesday 14 October 2020, 14.30

Watch LIVE

Oliver Dowden, Sec State Culture etc is to be grilled.

[DracoM]

House of Commons

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will appear before MPs on Wednesday 14 October at 09.30 on the work of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Watch LIVE



Publication: Government Response to Misinformation in the COVID-19 Infodemic



Further delay to online harms legislation ‘unjustifiable’ says DCMS Committee Chair

DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight has expressed disappointment that the Government has confirmed it is delaying the publication of new legislation to tackle online harms until next year. MPs had expressed concern to Ministers about the slow pace of legislation throughout the Committee’s inquiry into Misinformation in the COVID-19 Infodemic. In a response published today to the Committee’s Report, the Government acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic had increased reliance on the internet and highlighted the ‘importance of introducing a new regulatory regime to enable us to protect users and adapt to new challenges online.’ However it said legislation would not be ready until early next year following on from plans to publish the full consultation response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation later this year.



The Committee had called for the new online harms regulator to be named by the Government in the response, warning that a continued delay would bring into question how seriously ministers were taking this policy area, however the identity of the regulator will not be identified until the publication of the White Paper’s Full Government Response. The Committee’s Report had noted Ofcom’s track record of research and expedited work on misinformation in other areas of its remit in this time of crisis as arguments in its favour.



The Government’s response failed to address a key recommendation from MPs which called for the new regulator to be empowered to go beyond ensuring that tech companies enforce their own policies, community standards and terms of service, and instead would allow social media companies themselves decide what constituted ‘harmful but legal content’.



DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:

“The government has accepted the evidence this committee presented to it about the unstoppable spread of online misinformation during the pandemic and the harms involved. However, instead of acting with urgency, we’re now being told we have to wait until next year to see the legislation to tackle online harms legislation being published.

“People need that protection against online harms now and further delay is unjustifiable.

“We’re also disappointed that the government has failed to take this opportunity to identify the body that will be carrying out the crucial role of online harms regulator. We warned in our Report that a continued delay would bring into question the seriousness of intention in this area but once again we’re told we have to wait.”



ENDS



Further information:

The full Government Response: Misinformation in the COVID-19 Infodemic.

[DracoM]

Evidence session: Economics of music streaming

Tuesday 24 November, 10.00am

Watch live on Parliament TV or on our Twitter @CommonsDCMS #MusicStreamingInquiry

· Please note there is no access to Parliament  

· Session will have remote participation by witnesses and Committee members 



Radiohead and Elbow members to give evidence to MPs on the impact of streaming

The first session of the Economics of music streaming inquiry will hear from Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brein and Elbow frontman Guy Garvey, alongside soloist Nadine Shah, on how the rise of music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music has affected them as artists and songwriters. The session will focus on issues around fair renumeration for artists who have their music on these platforms, also hearing from Tom Gray, musician and founder of the #BrokenRecord campaign. His campaign was launched to raise awareness of how musicians are paid after the Covid-19 pandemic halted revenue from live music and performance.

The Committee will also question music industry experts on the impact of the different kinds of business models operated by streaming platforms and the response of major record labels to the growth of th

[DracoM]

House of Commons

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Evidence session: The future of public service broadcasting

Tuesday 15 December 2020, 10.00am
Watch LIVE on BBC Parliament.
· Session will have remote participation by witnesses and Committee members 

Minister John Whittingdale to face questions on the future of public service broadcasting

[DracoM]

Just put on their website:

DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:

“Richard Sharp impressed the DCMS Committee with his understanding of how the BBC needs to compete and perform while delivering public service value in a changing media world. We wish him well in the challenges ahead.

“We have outstanding questions on equal pay at the BBC and it’s a matter of urgency that, as incoming Chair, he gets up to speed with these as quickly as possible and comes back to us with answers.

“We have previously expressed concerns about the way the appointments process was conducted, particularly in the briefing of preferred names at an early stage. We note that our view is shared by the Commissioner for Public Appointments who recognises the damage done and has called for people briefing on or behalf of ministers to keep their views to themselves.”

The Report re-emphasises to Government that the appointments process must not only be fair, but be seen to be fair, citing a lack of candidate diversity as an example. Out of 23 applicants, only two were women and two from a BAME background.

It finds the process of appointing the BBC Chair has not been an “open and orderly affair” with the names of the Government’s preferred candidates leaked to the media at the outset, prompting the Committee at that point to raise concerns with the Secretary of State. Richard Sharp faced strong questions about how he was appointed, the extent of his political connections and political donations.


MPs note their concerns about the process were shared by the Commissioner for Public Appointments who had written to the Chair that “it would be helpful if people briefing on or behalf of ministers kept their views to themselves ahead of appointment competitions". It is also noted that Richard Sharp was named as BBC Chair in the press hours before an official announcement from Government.

Questioned about equal pay at the BBC, an issue of ongoing examination, MPs report that Richard Sharp failed to convince them he had the knowledge he needed to get to grips with the subject immediately.

[Cockney Sparrow]

John Crace's take (Guardian) on the committee session:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/series/the-politics-sketch

[french frank]

Just put on their website:

DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:

“Richard Sharp impressed the DCMS Committee with his understanding of how the BBC needs to compete and perform while delivering public service value in a changing media world. [...] Out of 23 applicants, only two were women and two from a BAME background.[ ...]

It finds the process of appointing the BBC Chair has not been an “open and orderly affair” [...] Questioned about equal pay at the BBC, an issue of ongoing examination, MPs report that Richard Sharp failed to convince them he had the knowledge he needed to get to grips with the subject immediately.

Strong on the need for the BBC to compete, but not on equal pay. What were the odds on a middleaged white male landing the job, I wonder?

[DracoM]

100-1 on?

[DracoM]

House of Commons

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee



NEW REPORT: The future of public service broadcasting



· Report: The future of public service broadcasting (pdf)

· Report: The future of public service broadcasting (html)



Government has left itself with no options on BBC licence fee, warn MPs



The Government’s failure to enable a viable and alternative form of funding for the BBC means it will be forced to rely on the TV licence fee for the term of the next Charter. In a wide-ranging Report, The future of public service broadcasting, the DCMS Committee concludes that the Government has left itself with no option on the licence fee, not least because it has failed to put in place the necessary broadband infrastructure that would facilitate other funding mechanisms.

As a result, the Government must now act quickly to end damaging speculation about decriminalising non-payment of the BBC licence fee with continuing uncertainty likely to boost evasion rates and lead to a further drop in funding.

The Report finds that Public Service Broadcasters are being let down by out-of-date legislation and calls for a new broadcasting act which would enable them to compete and thrive in a new media age with a right to prominence on digital platforms.



DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:



“It’s clear that the BBC TV licence fee has a limited shelf life in a digital media landscape. However, the Government has missed the boat to reform it. Instead of coming up with a workable alternative, it has sealed its own fate through a failure to develop a broadband infrastructure that would allow serious consideration of other means to fund the BBC.

“Not only that, but the Government is effectively allowing the BBC to haemorrhage funds through non-payment of the licence fee as a result of continued speculation over decriminalisation of licence fee evasion, a situation it must bring to an end.

“To enable public service broadcasters to compete in a digital world, Ministers must renew broadcasting laws that are nearly 20 years out of date. It’s a question of prominence – too often public service broadcasters lose out on dominant platforms with content that’s hard to find or isn’t branded.

“However, there is more that public service broadcasters should be doing for themselves and only by pooling resources can they hope to compete with the likes of Netflix and the platforms. The collaboration by the BBC and ITV on ‘BritBox’ is a striking example of how they can work together to create a ‘one stop shop’ for video on demand content - a model for future work.”



Infrastructure delays prevent universal online public service broadcasting system

MPs found that as a result of Government delays to full fibre broadband rollout, a wholly online public service broadcasting system allowing for universal access is not yet viable. While a significant amount of content is being made available online, during the current period of transition the interests of consumers who rely on linear TV must be preserved. Future services would be likely to be delivered via the internet, however the present reality was that lack of access to broadband and lack of digital literacy skills could result in 1.8 million households losing television and public service broadcasting services if they were entirely internet-based.



Tear-up broadcasting legislation: current law ‘no longer fit for purpose’

MPs call on the Government to enact new legislation by the end of 2022 to replace the outdated Communications Act 2003, echoing a call from Ofcom for a new legislative framework. The Report finds the Government has been too slow to act on Ofcom’s 2019 recommendations to update legislation on prominence, ensuring not only that public service broadcasting content remains easy to find for viewers on internet-connected services and devices but that it goes beyond the Electronic Programme Guide.

As PSBs increasingly rely on third-party platforms such as social media to distribute their content in order to reach younger audiences, MPs call on the Government to broaden the Digital Markets Unit's remit to consider whether the dominance of online platforms gives them ‘undue influence’ over the ability of consumers to access public service broadcasting content, both online and through streaming.



Call for Government to end damaging speculation about decriminalisation of licence fee

MPs note that the BBC’s target of a 5.9% licence fee evasion rate was likely to be missed by a ‘significant margin’ and express their concern that the situation could be exacerbated by the Government’s failure to make a final decision on decriminalisation.

The Report calls on Ministers to provide assurances that this unresolved issue will not be used as bargaining tool in ongoing licence fee negotiations with the BBC and S4C. To do so would risk undermining a core principle of public service broadcasting, that it should be removed from Government interference.



Government must engage with how PSBs are funded

Ensuring adequate funding is essential for PSBs to continue providing linear broadcasting, which remains crucial to older audiences, while also investing in on-demand services. For commercial PSBs, the Digital Markets Unit should address the lack of competition and regulation in online advertising.



Call for greater collaboration by PSBs

PSBs should do more to help themselves to attract digital audiences rather than wait for action by Government. MPs cite the collaboration of ‘BritBox’ – a joint venture by the BBC and ITV offering a Subscription Video on Demand service for UK viewers. PSBs should be allowed to collaborate to give them a better chance of competing in the crowded video on demand market. The Report recommends that PSBs explore options for collaboration on a single video on demand platform, and Ofcom should support PSBs in this endeavour.



Alternatives to BBC licence fee ruled out for now

The inquiry considered a number of alternatives to the BBC licence fee to support public service broadcasting, including models from Germany, Finland and Switzerland, such as household or individual fee; state budget funding; advertising; subscription; supplementary taxation. None of these were sufficiently better as a whole to recommend as an alternative.

(Details in Annex to Report)



Key Recommendations to Government:

· Prioritise new primary legislation to update the Communications Act 2003 and grant PSBs prominence which extends beyond the Electronic Programme Guide

· Unless PSBs do more to attract younger audiences, the core principle of universality that underpins their existence will be threatened. Recommend that changes be made to the regulatory structure to enable PSBs to innovate more rapidly and easily, and to be able to better compete online

· Come out with a strong alternative to the BBC licence fee that it can put to Parliament, or strongly support the current model for at least the next Charter period (2028 - 2038) and actively aid the BBC in driving down evasion

· Provide assurances that the issue of decriminalisation will not be used as a bargaining tool during the ongoing licence fee settlement negotiations with the BBC and S4C


If budgets are going to continue to decline in real terms, the Government should review the expectations set for PSBs



To Public Service Broadcasters:

· Rather than waiting for the Government to help them, we recommend that PSBs help themselves by exploring options for collaboration on a single video on demand platform, and Ofcom should support PSBs in this endeavour.



The Report also identifies concerns about the decline in local and regional news provision both by ITV and the BBC and calls on Ofcom to review the quality and relevance of the local and regional news provision, to be reported on before the new BBC Charter negotiations begin.



Report highlights changing media landscape:

· Dramatic change in how we access and consume TV particularly in younger age groups

· On average, adults in the UK watch around 30 minutes of YouTube content every day

· Most popular streaming services and platforms owned by US corporations with PSBs small national players in global market

· Almost two thirds of UK households subscribe to a subscription on demand service

· Take up of subscription and online services has fractured TV viewer behaviour

· Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the already fast-paced growth in online viewing



Further information:

The future of public service broadcasting inquiry was launched by the DCMS Committee in March 2020.



Public service broadcasters

Main and UK-wide:

BBC (publicly funded)

Channel 4 (publicly-owned but commercially-funded)
Channel 5 (wholly commercially-funded)

Fully commercial Channel 3 licence holders:
ITV in England and Wales

STV in Scotland

UTV in Northern Ireland

Part publicly- and part commercially-funded:
S4C, independent Welsh language service



Committee membership:

Julian Knight MP (Chair) (Conservative, Solihull); Kevin Brennan MP (Labour, Cardiff West); Steve Brine MP (Conservative, Winchester); Alex Davies-Jones MP (Labour, Pontypridd); Clive Efford MP (Labour, Eltham); Julie Elliott MP (Labour, Sunderland Central); Rt Hon Damian Green MP (Conservative, Ashford); Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP (Conservative, East Hampshire); John Nicolson MP (Scottish National Party, Ochil and South Perthshire); Giles Watling MP (Conservative, Clacton); Mrs Heather Wheeler MP (Conservative, South Derbyshire).



Media queries to Anne Peacock peacocka@parliament.uk / 07753 101 017; Gina Degtyareva degtyarevae@parliament.uk / 07548 146 012.

Visit the DCMS Committee website

Committee Twitter: @CommonsDCMS

Specific Committee Information: cmscom@parliament.uk / 020 7219 6188

[DracoM]

Long report:
Here is the FINAL list of the Cttee's findings:

Key Recommendations to Government:

· Prioritise new primary legislation to update the Communications Act 2003 and grant PSBs prominence which extends beyond the Electronic Programme Guide

· Unless PSBs do more to attract younger audiences, the core principle of universality that underpins their existence will be threatened. Recommend that changes be made to the regulatory structure to enable PSBs to innovate more rapidly and easily, and to be able to better compete online

· Come out with a strong alternative to the BBC licence fee that it can put to Parliament, or strongly support the current model for at least the next Charter period (2028 - 2038) and actively aid the BBC in driving down evasion

· Provide assurances that the issue of decriminalisation will not be used as a bargaining tool during the ongoing licence fee settlement negotiations with the BBC and S4C


If budgets are going to continue to decline in real terms, the Government should review the expectations set for PSBs



To Public Service Broadcasters:

· Rather than waiting for the Government to help them, we recommend that PSBs help themselves by exploring options for collaboration on a single video on demand platform, and Ofcom should support PSBs in this endeavour.


The Report also identifies concerns about the decline in local and regional news provision both by ITV and the BBC and calls on Ofcom to review the quality and relevance of the local and regional news provision, to be reported on before the new BBC Charter negotiations begin.

[Serial_Apologist]

Thanks DracoM for comprehensively reproducing the details of this report.

So, we're stuck now with the licence fee method of funding for forseeable time, which means the likes of me will remain trapped in the 70+ age group now expected to cough up. This has been drifting on unresolved for much longer than the coronavirus pandemic, so government (and for that matter opposition) cannot make it an excuse. The one salutary recognition is the need to continue with linear TV transmissions on behalf of those of my age bracket and older - something Radio 3 planners by contrast ignore in their quest for a young listenership.

[french frank]

The one salutary recognition is the need to continue with linear TV transmissions on behalf of those of my age bracket and older - something Radio 3 planners by contrast ignore in their quest for a young listenership.

Unless PSBs do more to attract younger audiences, the core principle of universality that underpins their existence will be threatened

It occurs to me that Radio 3 is in much the same position as the producers of news programmes - still watched by the over 65s but largely ignored by the 16-24s, who get the news that they're interested in from the places that provide it. Is the solution for the PSBs to provide 'the news they're interested in': this is the news for younger people, this is the news for older people? Should PSBs be even encouraging younger audiences to 'specialise' in news that interests them? Something wrong somewhere?