The Government should include measures to protect radio when it
introduces the Media Bill to address the risk to the industry of
larger platforms controlling access to stations and driving
listeners elsewhere, MPs say today.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s recommendation is
contained in its first report following itspre-legislative scrutiny
of the proposed legislation. A further report on the rest of
the Bill will be published after the summer.
In addition to backing the provisions aimed at ensuring radio
continues to thrive in an environment where stations will be
increasingly dependent on devices such as smart speakers for
access to audiences, the report calls for clearer guidance on
enforcement for Ofcom to help ensure local radio continues to
provide-locally gathered news.
, Chair of the CMS
Committee, said: “The environment in which radio
operates has changed beyond all recognition in recent years, with
the move away from independent stations towards national networks
and the rise of smart speakers just the latest developments to
test the existing regulatory regime.
Amid the rapid changes, it is vital that the Government
includes the provisions in the Media Bill to protect radio’s
availability on voice-activated devices. It is also important
that in the move towards deregulation of radio, Ministers do not
lose sight of the importance to listeners of local news and
information. The new legislation must make the enforcement
responsibilities of Ofcom clear.
We look forward to seeing the measures in the Bill when the
legislation is brought forward.”
Main findings and recommendations
Deregulation of commercial radio
- The Committee agrees with the intention that stations should
focus on a narrow duty of providing local news and information
rather than local non-news content as well. The Government should
provide Ofcom with clearer guidance regarding enforcing the
obligation.
Radio selection services
- The rapid rise in smart speaker use means the radio industry
has legitimate concerns about the potential for larger platforms
to control access to stations and drive audiences elsewhere. The
Committee strongly supports the inclusion of provisions on radio
in the Media Bill that aim to protect UK radio’s availability on
voice-activated devices.
- The future risks to radio are not confined to voice-activated
devices but include in-car infotainment systems, with connected
car manufacturers and providers of in-car systems controlling
content. The Committee notes the Government’s position that
in-car infotainment systems should not be in the scope of the
Bill, but calls for the Government and Ofcom to keep the issue
under close review.
- The Secretary of State's power to change what devices are
covered by amending the definition of a radio selection service
is crucial for the future-proofing of the legislation. The Bill
should be redrafted to ensure that the Secretary of State
consults Ofcom before issuing regulations to amend the definition
of a radio selection service.
- The Government's approach to on-demand and online-only
content appears at odds with market trends. Listeners are
increasingly choosing to access content on-demand or listen to
online-only stations and there is merit in including these forms
of content provision within the scope of the Bill. The Government
should amend the Bill to include on-demand and online-only
content from Ofcom-regulated broadcasters and the Bill should
include an explicit power to amend the definition of an internet
radio service to enable other types of content to be included in
the future.
