[cma-l] Independent review to look at rules governing local radio

[CMA-L]

John Myers has been appointed to lead an independent review looking
into the rules governing local content in radio, a key action from the
Interim Digital Britain report. This review will inform the
Government's thinking as it looks towards a digital future for radio.

The purpose of the review will be to consider and then make
recommendations on the following questions:

* What role should radio have in delivering local content in a
predominantly digital media landscape?
* What is the most effective way to deliver local content, via local
radio, in a digital age?
and
* To what extent are the current requirements for a pre-determined
number of hours of local content, and the locality in which content is
produced, appropriate and sustainable?

As part of the review process John Myers will convene a small advisory
group to bring together a wide variety of views and inform thinking on
future options.

Stephen Carter, said:

"I am pleased that John Myers has agreed to take forward this review
which will be key in informing Government's thinking on the future of
local radio."

John Myers, said:

"We know that consumers value local content, particularly on local
radio, and that successive governments and regulators have sought to
secure this through localness rules. It is only right that as we move
towards a predominantly digital landscape for radio we consider the
appropriateness of the current rules and how local content should be
preserved in the future.

"The Interim Digital Britain Report has shown government's appetite to
tackle the challenges facing the media industry. I am looking forward
to contributing to this Digital Britain process."

The review will be completed by the end of March.

Notes:

1. The Interim Digital Britain report was published on 29 January 2009
more information can be found at:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/5783.aspx

2. More information on digital radio and the work of the Digital Radio
Working Group can be found at:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/4014.aspx

DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (018/09) issued
by COI News Distribution Service. 12 February 2009

http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/170577

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