[cma-l] Ofcom: 10th March, DCMS: 11th March

Tue Mar 8 12:02:17 GMT 2016

On that note I have asked that those going to the ofcom meeting clarify and
get confirmation
On 8 Mar 2016 12:00, "Richard Hilton" <Richard.Hilton at bitc.org.uk> wrote:

> Anyone note this bit in Martin’s post:-
>
>
>
> *They have also stated that post the 9 month "trial" period they wont
> provide any more technical support.*
>
>
>
> May not be needed but if this is an experiment you’d think Ofcom would
> want to remain close to the stations to pick up on any issues.  This
> doesn’t seem a very positive way to do that.
>
>
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:
> cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] *On Behalf Of *Martin Steers
> *Sent:* 08 March 2016 11:11
> *To:* The Community Media Association Discussion List
> *Subject:* Re: [cma-l] Ofcom: 10th March, DCMS: 11th March
>
>
>
> To clarify really.. this was not ofcoms decision, it was the DCMS who have
> instructed Ofcom to extend the trials, it wouldnt be fair to hold criticism
> against Ofcom for this as they are simply following instructions
>
>
>
> They have also stated that post the 9 month "trial" period they wont
> provide any more technical support.
>
>
>
> On 8 March 2016 at 10:59, Alex Gray, Two Lochs Radio <tlr at gairloch.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
> James
>
>
>
> What you say about Ofcom’s role regarding choice and plurality is of
> course true for duly-licensed regular broadcast services. However, Ofcom
> also has a duty to observe transparent and equitable treatment of
> stakeholders, and this is where it appears to be falling short in this case.
>
>
>
> Despite what you say, we are not talking about intended ongoing programme
> services – this was strictly a technical trial for a limited period – Ofcom
> was a great pains to make this very clear to all applicants, regardless of
> what nod or wink you feel it gave at a meeting. The criteria for selection
> of participants was also only to a limited extent based on extending choice
> – most are simulcasts and there was only a requirement to carry a minimum
> of two services. The primary criteria for awards were to do with achieving
> a spread of different technical scenarios for transmission, relays and
> programme feeds.
>
>
>
> In fact, Ofcom’s selection criteria for the trial included about 60
> specific technical criteria and just 12 programming/service criteria.
>
>
>
> It would have been reckless of a community radio station to base plans on
> anything other than the strict 9-month technical trial, which meant most,
> including ourselves, had to rule themselves out, even where they could have
> offered a very useful additional technical challenge to evaluate the system
> (such as our mountainous terrain), but Ofcom is now giving a distinct
> advantage to those who took a gamble with their station’s resources. Ofcom
> has also paid for a substantial amount of equipment for what is now an
> ongoing service, and no longer qualifies as a technical trial. (NB those
> stations and Ofcom should really now be recording that as ‘state aid’ which
> may affect other grant applications.)
>
>
>
> Whether or not Ofcom has taken the right decision at this point, I don’t
> see how you could be surprised that the decision might aggrieve some who
> took Ofcom at its word and based their own decisions on goalposts that it
> has retrospectively moved a very significant distance.
>
>
>
> Alex
>
>
>
> *From:* cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:
> cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] *On Behalf Of *James Cridland
> *Sent:* 08 March 2016 02:26
> *To:* martin at martinsteers.co.uk; The Community Media Association
> Discussion List <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
> *Subject:* Re: [cma-l] Ofcom: 10th March, DCMS: 11th March
>
>
>
> In a stakeholder meeting, I asked (when these were first advertised)
> whether they'd really be pulled off after nine months, denying audiences
> the additional choice they may have become accustomed to. Ofcom wriggled a
> bit in their answer, but seemed to say "we'll look at that when the time
> comes". There was a clue there.
>
> >As this is a technical feasibility trial how is extending it to 3 years
> going to give a significantly better outcome?<
>
> It isn't. The actual technical feasibility trial is over; at least,
> without making a few changes to the multiplexes, Ofcom won't learn more
> over the next two years. That's not the point really.
>
> It's worthwhile examining why Ofcom exists.
> http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/what-is-ofcom/statutory-duties-and-regulatory-principles/
> - it is there to ensure a wide range of services and a plurality of
> providers. Turning off services while men in suits look at broadcast law
> and at broadcast field strengths is against Ofcom's statutory duty. More to
> the point, it is also unnecessary.
>
> So, Ofcom has elected not to remove the additional choice to listeners
> that these small-scale multiplexes offer. They now have two years to look
> at the results of the data and then at the legislation. It's the right
> choice for the listener, and I'm surprised that anyone would want anything
> else.
>
> J
>
>
>
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