Incoming Ofcom chair Michael Grade: BBC licence fee is ‘regressive’ March 31, 2022 The newly appointed Ofcom chair Michael Grade called the BBC licence fee “regressive” this morning, affirming the ongoing questions marks surrounding the future for the Beeb. Suggesting that this description was simply a “statement of fact”, he told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee: “Let me just say straight away that my criticism [...]
Broadband startup Cuckoo calls on industry to abolish exit fees and end £1.3bn price hikes March 30, 2022 Broadband exit fees and above-inflation price rises should be scrapped as UK customers face a cost of living crisis, the CEO and founder of broadband firm Cuckoo Alex Fitzgerald has demanded.
Facebook algorithm pushes climate sceptics deeper into disinformation March 30, 2022 A new investigation has revealed that Facebook users that show an interest in climate scepticism are being driven towards more extreme forms of climate disinformation by algorithms, despite the social media giant's claims of a crackdown.
Michael Grade named Ofcom chair March 24, 2022 Michael Grade has been named the government’s preferred candidate for the Ofcom chair, the Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced today. Lord Grade has had a long career in broadcasting, encompassing London Weekend Television, the BBC, ITV, as well as over nine years as Chief Executive of Channel Four Television. In May 2004 he was appointed [...]
Dorries’ laws for Big Tech have become overrun trying to keep everyone happy March 17, 2022 Today marks the introduction of the Online Safety Bill: a “world-first” for online safety, but a behemoth bill of confusion. Variations of today’s bill have been bounced around since David Cameron, drawing media attention and public uncertainty, and ultimately landing in the hands of reality TV personality turned politician Nadine Dorries. As it stands today, [...]
Ofcom to widen UK satellite regulation as the number of space launches explodes March 15, 2022 The UK’s broadcast and communications regulator is set to embed itself further into the space sector as the increasing number of satellites in orbit calls for a more hawkish watchdog. Ofcom will oversee the radio spectrum – an essential part of wireless communications – to ensure it is used efficiently as more people and businesses [...]
Channel 4 hits record spend for out of London commissions March 15, 2022 Channel 4’s proportion of commissions and spend outside of London hit an all-time record high last year. Two thirds of all original programming commissioned for the main channel was produced in the nations and regions – nearly double the broadcaster’s 35 per cent quota set by Ofcom. Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said: [...]
Local radio stations set to become more accessible following pandemic boom March 14, 2022 More local radio services could take to the airwaves under new plans for simpler licences and spectrums for ‘restricted’ radio, like hospital stations and services for religious observances such as Ramadan.
BBC set to cut original CBBC content as licence fee tries to remain competitive March 10, 2022 The UK media regulator has opened a new consultation into the number of CBBC’s original productions, accepting the BBC’s request to make cuts to its output. In an announcement this morning, Ofcom agreed with BBC’s suggestion to reduce the original productions quota for the dedicated TV channel for children, shifting it from 72 per cent [...]
Big Tech face UK legal duty to prevent fraudulent scams online March 8, 2022 The government are set to introduce new legal duty on big tech to prevent paid-for fraudulent ads appearing on their services. The change will improve protections against fake ads, including where criminals impersonate celebrities or companies to steal people’s personal data, peddle dodgy financial investments or break into bank accounts. As part of the government’s [...]