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'Where is Scotland in the Communications Bill?' ask media campaigners
The new Communications Bill places control over TV, radio and the new media firmly in the hands of unelected officials, and of politicians at Westminster.In watering down media companies’ obligations to public service broadcasting it threatens the continued existence of distinctive Scottish programming and threatens Scottish cultural identity.
The warning came today from the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF). Says Scottish spokesperson of the Campaign, journalist Rory MacLeod: "The bill also offers chunks of the media up for sale to large corporations concerned primarily with profit, not quality programming. This will have big implications for us in Scotland.
The majority of media in Scotland - print media, TV, radio, programme production and advertising - could end up being owned by companies with no Scottish connection, thus leading to the disappearance of a Scottish identity within
programming and media."
CPBF argue that in setting up a centralised Office of Communications (OFCOM), watering down public service broadcasting obligations and loosening ownership regulations, the Communications Bill will sideline quality,
accountability and diversity. There will be far less scope for distinctive, regional and local news, entertainment and cultural programmes as both press and broadcasting outlets become concentrated in fewer hands.
Working closely with the media and communications trade unions and community organisations in Scotland CPBF will campaign for public scrutiny of the Communications Bill. Says Rory MacLeod: "It’s vital that the people of Scotland and media workers themselves should have a say on this crucial issue. We will be bringing together leading media figures, media experts from our universities and members of the media unions to discuss the bill. We’ll also be pressing MSPs
dealing with media in the Scottish Parliament to hold public hearings on the proposals over the next three months.
"The people of Scotland deserve news and programming providers who give them the news and media that reflect the needs - both culturally and informatively - of those who live in this country. While the Communications Bill is a reserved matter, the Scottish Parliament should debate it publicly because of the massive cultural implications it will have for
Scotland and its people."
Further information: CPBF spokesperson for Scotland Rory MacLeod 0141 647 0377(w/h) 07887 896483 (m)Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, 23 Orford Road, London E17 3BJ. Tel. 020 8521 5932 /07774 607 419 Email:
freepress@cpbf.org.uk
Editors’ note
The CPBF was founded in 1979 to campaign for a freer, more accountable media. It works closely with the trade unions representing media and communications workers and has a wide membership base including print journalists and broadcasters, media academics, community organisations and individuals. It produces the bimonthly publication ‘Free Press’ and campaigns vigorously on questions of media ownership,public service broadcasting and media reform.
Last modified: Wednesday, May 8, 2002
Previous government policy stories
'Where is Wales, public service and quality in Communications Bill?' ask Welsh media campaigners.
Communications Bill ‘puts market-driven media before public interest’ warns CPBF
Communications Bill unveiled....
CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT COMMITTEE: HOUSE OF COMMONS (SESSION 2001-02), 1 May 2002, No 25
Wales needs more public debate on communications policy
NO OFCOM SEATS FOR REGIONS - but battle to defend regional voice goes on
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BY DCMS and DTI (November 2001)
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Cymru a Dyfodol Cyfathrebu Torfol
The State of the Media - Media Policy and the need for reform.
The Danger in a Reasonable Approach
ITN to Embrace Madonna
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Roadshows raise awareness
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Notices
Events & Announcements
World Press Freedom Day
More reporters are currently imprisoned in Turkey than in any other country in the world. Only a matter of weeks ago lawyers failed to persuade a Turkish court to release a 76-year-old journalist from a Turkish internet news station.
World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3, 2013 is being marked in Britain by a rally to highlight the dangers facing journalists in Turkey and in this podcast, Nicholas Jones speaks to Barry White, Organiser at the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Sam Bamford, the TUC's policy officer for Eastern Europe and Africa about the importance of a campaign to highlight international press freedom.
The World Press Freedom Day rally is being staged by the National Union of Journalists at the NUJ head office, Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 on Thursday May 2, 6pm-8pm.
DATELINE: 27/4/13
UK launch of EU media campaign
DATELINE: 13/3/13
The UK launch of a 'European Citizens' Initiative' calling for EU rules against concentration of media power will take place on Thursday March 21 from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Committee Room 4A at the House of Lords, London. Guest speakers will include actor and activist Hugh Grant (pictured), media consultant Claire Enders, Professor Steven Barnett, Barry McCall (President of the NUJ) and Marc Gruber (Director of the European Federation of Journalists).
A European Citizens' Initiative is an official petition, like a Downing Street petition. If it succeeds in gathering a million signatures across the EU, the Commission is obliged to respond.
This petition calls for the EU to act to protect media pluralism and press freedom.
CPBF Annual General Meeting
DATELINE: 1/3/13
Make a note in your diary
Saturday 13 July 2013 from 10.00am
NUJ HQ, 308/312 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1.
Leveson, media ownership, CPBF future work.
DOWNLOAD FREEPRESS NOW
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Download Freepress in PDF, ePub or mobi format. Issue 194 now available.
MEDIA FOR ALL CONFERENCE
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Papers from the Media for All Conference
MEDIA MANIFESTO
DATELINE: 26/3/10
The media’s job is to inform and entertain us but we rely on them too to tell us what our rulers and representatives are up to. In the run-up to the Iraq war the government used spin and disinformation in the media to create panic and mislead people. The truth is coming out now, but we need stronger, more independent media to be able to scrutinise governments and make informed choices.
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Previous stories
Government Policy
'Where is Wales, public service and quality in Communications Bill?' ask Welsh media campaigners.
Communications Bill ‘puts market-driven media before public interest’ warns CPBF
Communications Bill unveiled....
CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT COMMITTEE: HOUSE OF COMMONS (SESSION 2001-02), 1 May 2002, No 25
Wales needs more public debate on communications policy
NO OFCOM SEATS FOR REGIONS - but battle to defend regional voice goes on
A Voice for Scotland
Communications Bill Roundup - Ownership Consultation
ITN NEWS PROVISION
Summary Response to Consultation on Media Ownership Rules
Culture Minister Promises Wide Consultation on Bill
RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES
BY DCMS and DTI (November 2001)
Wales and the Future of Mass Communications:
Cymru a Dyfodol Cyfathrebu Torfol
The State of the Media - Media Policy and the need for reform.
The Danger in a Reasonable Approach
ITN to Embrace Madonna
Wales, OFCOM and the democratic deficit
Roadshows raise awareness
Trade unionists take up the gauntlet
CPBF to give oral evidence on bill
Media Ownership Consultation
Diverse and Public - Public Service Broadcasting and the Communications White Paper
Consultation on Media Ownership Rules
5 December: CPBF Policy Seminar on Media Ownership
CYMRU RESERVATION:
HEALTH DEVOLVED BUT NOT CASUALTY!
CPBF COMMENTS ON THE COMMUNICATIONS WHITE PAPER
WHITE PAPER OR WHITE FLAG?
DTI DCMS Communications White Paper - A new future for communications
Corporate Media Trends in Europe
CPBF/Public Voice seminar on media ownership
