Radiocentre urges Ofcom to press ahead with Media Bill plans

Speaking today (28th February) at the Westminster Media Forum conference on the future of the UK’s audiovisual media sector, Radiocentre’s CEO Matt Payton has pressed Ofcom to move as swiftly as possible with its plans to implement the forthcoming Media Bill.

Following Ofcom’s publication of a roadmap document on Monday (26th February), which sets out timelines for implementing the new regulatory regime, the event was an important and timely opportunity to remind attendees of the importance of the Media Bill for securing radio’s future and discuss some of the key issues around implementation.

The Media Bill is currently advancing through Parliament and has its second reading in the House of Lords later today. On its current trajectory Royal Assent is expected to be achieved in the spring, at which point the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament, meaning it will then become law, and Ofcom’s powers will commence.

The Media Bill includes important provisions that will ensure radio remains strong and accessible as listening increasingly shifts to online platforms and will help secure the value of radio for audiences.

Radiocentre CEO Matt Payton said: “The Media Bill has had strong support from across the political spectrum and that looks set to continue in the House of Lords. In parallel with this it is only natural to start thinking about implementation. So we were pleased to see the publication of Ofcom’s road map on Monday and look forward to working with them on implementing the new radio framework as quickly as possible”.

The full Ofcom document can be viewed here.

Further information on the Media Bill can be found here.