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20|11|07

Minutes of the Fifty Fifth Meeting of the Ofcom Content Board Held at the Scotsman Hotel, 20 North Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland on Tuesday 20 November 2007

Present

Philip Graf Chairman
Adam Singer Deputy Chairman
Richard Ayre Member
Sue Balsom Member
Chris Banatvala Member
Pam Giddy Member
Paul Moore Member
Joyce Taylor Member
Kath Worrall Member and Chair Fairness Committee
Millie Banerjee Member

In Attendance

Graham Howell Secretary to the Corporation
Steve Perkins Head of PSB Content
Helen Normoyle Director of Media Literacy and Market Research
Other Ofcom Colleagues

Apologies

Tim Suter Member
Anthoney Lilley Member

PSB Review In the Nations

1. The PSB team took the Content Board through a previously circulated presentation which focussed on the emerging hypotheses of the Review; the clear strands emerging were around the value given by viewers to plurality of news supply, the concerns about the economic viability of PSB programming from the broadcasters, the requirements for indigenous language programming in each of the devolved Nations together with issues around the long term sustainability of out of London quotas (which potentially brought industrial policy into the Review) and the representation of the Nations and Regions on network television.

2. In terms of news, it was noted that the economic viability of future National or Regional news production meant that other means of funding were likely to be required; the potential involvement of the devolved Assemblies and Executive in future funding needed to be considered.

3. It was thought that the opportunity of digital switchover and the post-2014 landscape gave an opportunity to revisit the existing ITV ‘map’ of licences-particularly ,for example, the Border area licence.

4. In considering the options for future PSB delivery on television it was noted that the impact of broadband delivery (which brought in the thinking on the PSP) would need to be considered.

5. It was agreed that the emerging hypotheses represented a welcome start to the debate and the Content Board was keen to continue engagement with the team as the Review progressed.

Children in Programmes: Approval of draft guidelines in respect of Ofcom Broadcasting Code rules 1.26 and 1.27

6. Subject to some final drafting suggestions the proposed guidelines were approved and the importance of the work around children in programmes was noted. It was further noted that the communication of these new guidelines would require careful handling as whilst there was no doubt there would be much support for these new guidelines it was evident from press coverage of the issue that there was also likely to be criticism from some stakeholders that Ofcom had not gone far enough.

Signing on Television: New Arrangements for Low Audience Channels

7. The recommendations for the future of ‘signing’ for channels with an audience share of less than 1% were noted and approved. It was noted that there were 15 channels with an audience share in excess of 1% to which the existing regulations would still apply. It was further noted that the proposals were supported by the Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People.

ITV News at Ten

8. The proposal by ITV to move the main week-day evening news bulletin from 10.30 p.m. to 10.00p.m. was noted and regarded positively; it was agreed that Ofcom would express no opinion on whether or not this change amounted to ‘significant change’ under the Communications Act.

Standards Report

9. The Content Board RECEIVED an update on programmes which had been attracting complaints, as well as an update on the status of current Fairness and Content Sanctions cases.

Ofcom Response to the Byron Review

10. [witheld from published minutes] introduced the item and referred to the draft submission that had been circulated; Ofcom’s submission had to be lodged with the Byron Review team by November 30th. The principal points in the submission were around improving media literacy for parents (e.g. an improved ability to understand and implement internet filtering) and children (e.g. increasing awareness of the dangers posed by unfeterred internet access and how to spot and avoid them). It was not proposed in the submission to introduce any new regulatory intervention.

11. In discussion it was noted that:

The submission neded to be clear about whether or not there was actual evidence of existing harm;
The nature of content regulation needed to be set out in the submission; it was not Ofcom’s desire to increase its responsibilities in the regulation of content and Ofcom’s future role in content regulation needed to be clarified.
The issue of media literacy in the 21st century was key; there were strong arguments for the Government putting media literacy into the National Curriculum.
Ofcom should use the opportunity of the submission to be both strategic and tactical about the future of regulation and Ofcom’s role.

12. Subject to detailed drafting and contextual comments, which would be made outside the meeting, the document was approved for final submission to the Main Board.

Members’ Interests

13. There were no new declarations for the Register.

Minutes of 16 October 2007 and Matters Arising

14. The minutes of the Content Board meeting held on 16 October 2007 were AGREED.

Rolling Forward Plan of Content Board Agendas

15. Members NOTED the Rolling Forward Plan of Content Board Agendas.

Matters Arising

16. There were no matters arising.

Current Ofcom Issues

17. Members RECEIVED a report on the current Ofcom issues and NOTED the minutes of Ofcom Board meeting held on 9 October 2007.

Report back from Radio Licensing Committee

18. Members RECEIVED a report on current issues concerning the Radio Licensing Committee and Members NOTED the minutes of the 11 October 2007 RLC meeting.

Papers for information

19. Members NOTED the following papers for information:

Broadcasters' Returns on Equal Opportunities 2006
Matters for External Communication; and
Ofcom Response to the Lord’s Scientific & Technical Committee Enquiry into Personal Internet Security

Minutes for Noting

20. Members NOTED the minutes of the following meetings:

National Advisory Committee – Scotland – 12 September 2007;
National Advisory Committee – Wales– 20 September 2007; and
Consumer Panel – 16 October 2007.

Any Other Business

21. [witheld from published minutes]

Date of Next meeting

22. The next meeting of the Content Board is planned for 11 Decemeber 2007 at Riverside House, London.