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New report shows we can bridge broadcasting funding gap
DATELINE: 29/4/09
A new research report has shown that the crisis facing public service broadcasting could be solved if the government were willing to take bold action. The report commissioned by media unions BECTU and the NUJ says that a system of levies could be used to secure new funding for public service broadcasting. It also highlights ways in which state-owned assets, such as broadcast spectrum, could be used to close the PSB funding gap.
The report, 'Mind the Funding Gap: the potential of industry levies for continued funding of public service broadcasting', looks at where levies could be placed on the profits of companies that benefit from the existence of public service generated content but currently contribute little towards its production. It finds that a one per cent levy on Virgin Media and BskyB revenues could raise an estimated £70 million per year for quality broadcasting.
An alternative proposal examined in the report, includes placing a charge on the revenues of new media companies, such as mobile phone operators or internet service providers. Around £210 million could be raised per annum through a one per cent levy on mobile phone companies alone.It is estimated that a commercial PSB funding gap of between £145 and £235 million will emerge with the switchover to digital television.
Whilst the unions are not being prescriptive over the level at which any duty should be set, they say the research shows that levies present a serious alternative to the decline of local news, current affairs and children's programming.
BECTU and the NUJ believe that the government must now seriously consider how additional funding can be secured to guarantee a future for quality TV.
Jeremy Dear, NUJ General Secretary, said: "All the plans we've seen so far suggest ways of spreading diminishing resources more thinly. Now the government has detailed evidence that shows new funding could be found – all it needs is the political will to get behind public service broadcasting. We suspect that companies will vehemently resist these proposals but sometimes what's good for the public has to come first."
Gerry Morrissey, BECTU General Secretary, said: "As the media world changes, it's imperative that we find a way of providing broadcasters with funding streams so that they can go on producing programmes of which British viewers can be proud. We mustn't allow our hard-won reputation for quality to be undermined when a solution to the problem is within our grasp."
In many other countries levies are used to support public interest objectives. Previous research demonstrates that UK audiences place enormous value on the quality of public service broadcasting which has helped the UK build a worldwide reputation for excellence in broadcasting. The unions warn though that the UK's continued success is dependent on sufficient funding being made available for those standards to be met and for investment in new digital innovations.
The report was written by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
Research released by Ofcom last year showed that the UK audience would be willing to pay more per year to fund public service broadcasting.
Despite the range of DVDs, videogames and online content on offer, television viewing per day has increased. In 2008, the average British viewer watched 26 hours and 18 minutes of television per week – an increase of 48 minutes from 2007.
The government is currently conducting a Digital Britain review, which is looking at the future of public service broadcasting, as well as the future of the communications and media sectors.
To download the report go to the NUJ web site at: www.nuj.org.uk and look under 'New report shows...
Last modified: Tuesday, May 5, 2009
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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.
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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.
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Previous stories
Public Service Broadcasting
EU parliament hosts battle on future of public broadcasting
Troubled ITV cuts jobs and costs
MPs' report expected to question BBC and Channel 4 linkup
Government considering options to solve funding crisis at Channel Four
The Slippery Slope of Public Funding: Where Will it End? Now we know:
ITV strike ballot called off
Sertuc conference postponed
Here we go again!
Campaigning for quality television
The future of PSB - postponed
Opting Out
Citizenship and Public Service Broadcasting
How do Ofcom and the BBC Trust see their Roles?
Commission recommends new TV channel for Scotland
Ofcom's 'smash and grab' raid on the BBC licence fee
World Service threatened
Wales, Devolution and Democracy
CPBF responds to Ofcom public service review
NUJ slams 'simplistic' top-slicing arguments
PSB on ITV - No thanks!
BBC unions ballot for action on jobs
Crisis looms in kids' telly
Scottish Broadcasting Commission wants to hear your views
Begin the fight back: How corporate strategists neutered the BBC
Joint statement from the BBC, BECTU, the NUJ and UNITE
BBC unions ballot for action
New Labour takes revenge on BBC
Future of ITV PSB at stake
Crunch time for TV
Digital switchover and the Whitehaven experience
BBC Trust agrees to cuts
