[comradio-l] Digital radio switchover: amendment to ‘consider the needs’ of listeners and small stations

[CMA-L]

Clause 30 of the government’s Digital Economy Bill sets out the
process for determining the date for radio ‘digital switchover’:

97A: Date for digital switchover
(1) The Secretary of State may give notice to Ofcom nominating a date
for digital switchover for the post-commencement services specified or
described in the notice.

(2) When nominating a date, or considering whether to nominate a date,
the Secretary of State must have regard to any report submitted by
Ofcom or the BBC under section 67(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1996
(review of digital radio broadcasting).

An amendment has been tabled by Lord Howard of Rising and Lord de
Mauley which would require the government additionally to consider:

• the needs of local and community radio stations
• the needs of analogue listeners

as well as any reports submitted by Ofcom and the BBC. This amendment
will be considered, along with many others not concerned with radio,
when the Bill is debated by a House of Lords committee on 6 January
2010.

Source: http://grantgoddardradioblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/digital-radio-switchover-amendment-to.html

The CMA is writing to Lord Howard of Rising and Lord de Mauley to
thank them for their contribution.

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Community Media Association
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