Child safety campaigners criticise Meta’s end-to-end encryption plans April 7, 2022 Child safety campaigners have criticised Meta’s recent research that makes the case for end-to-end encryption as a positive driver for human rights.
Dorries urges broadband firms to publicise social tariffs, as 84 per cent on benefits unaware they exist April 5, 2022 Nadine Dorries has written to key internet providers urging them to raise awareness of discounted broadband offers for those on universal credit and benefits. She urged firms included BT and Virgin Media to publicise schemes because they have ‘low uptake’, with 84 per cent of those on benefits reportedly unaware they exist. Discounted social tariff [...]
Channel 4: Some key questions about the Government’s privatisation plans answered April 5, 2022 The Government is set to proceed with plans to privatise Channel 4. City A.M. sought answers to some of the key questions about the decision. Firstly, why does the Government want to privatise the broadcaster? The Government has argued that Channel 4’s long-term future needs to be secured amid concerns for its survival in the [...]
Ex Kingfisher boss Sir Ian Cheshire appointed Channel 4 chairman April 2, 2022 Former Kingfisher boss Sir Ian Cheshire was appointed today as chairman of Channel 4, Ofcome announced. The 62-year-old retail former executive will join the broadcaster’s board on 11 April, succeeding media executive Dawn Airey. Interviewed for the post in late February, Cheshire went against Rita Clifton, who ran Interbrand and now sits on the board [...]
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 [...]