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27|06|08

Minutes Of The Fifty-Seventh Meeting Of The Ofcom Content Board Held At Riverside House, London On Tuesday 8 January 2008

Present

Philip Graf Chairman

Adam Singer Deputy Chairman

Richard Ayre Member

Sue Balsom Member

Millie Banerjee Member

Chris Banatvala Member

Pam Giddy Member

Anthony Lilley Member

Paul Moore Member

Stewart Purvis Member

Joyce Taylor Member

Kath Worrall Member and Chair Fairness Committee

In Attendance

Peter Davies Director of Radio and Multimedia

Kate Stross Director of Content

Other Ofcom Colleagues

Apologies

Graham Howell Secretary to the Corporation

Introduction

1. Members welcomed Stewart Purvis to his first meeting as a member of the Content Board [witheld from published minutes].

2. [witheld from published minutes].

Members’ Interests

3. There were no new declarations for the Register.

Participation TV (“PTV”) : Statement 1 on Viewer & Consumer Protection

4. Ofcom colleagues introduced the item and outlined the proposals as follows:

which reflected the key recommendations made by Richard Ayre in his report previously circulated to the Content Board in the summer of 2007.

5. With regard to the verification process, Policy Executive (“PE”) had agreed with the principle that licensees should be responsible for the design of their verification systems, but subject to an initial programme of spot-checking by Ofcom for a period of 18 months. After this period requests for reports would be triggered through investigations.

6. Members discussed the proposals and made colleagues aware of their views in order that they may be considered as part of the work being carried out. [witheld from published minutes]

Ofcom/GMS Operating Protocol

7. Ofcom has a statutory relationship with the Gaelic Media Service, and works with them on a range of issues. An operating protocol had been drafted which detailed the points of interface, associated calendar dates and deadlines for action.

8. In discussion it was suggested that the submission of the GMS annual report and accounts should be within four months after the year end in line with Ofcom practice.

9. Subject to the above and other drafting suggestions, the operating protocol was approved.

ITV Children’s Programmes

10. [witheld from published minutes].

11. Following discussion, Members concurred with the Executive’s views. The letter of response should note that Ofcom’s was reserving its position on the matter, going into the PSB Review.

PSB Statements and Reviews

12. Members received the annual PSB self-assessment review, and statement of programme policy from the following broadcasters:-

13. The principal issues resulting from the reviews were noted by the Members and the PSB statements and reviews were accepted for each broadcaster. [witheld from published minutes].

PSB Review: Update

14. The major licencees had been asked to make submissions on what they saw as their vision for PSB delivery going forward which had been received before Christmas. Members were updated on the broadcasters’ stances.

15. It was proposed that the full analysis for phase 1 of the review would be discussed fully at the next Content Board meeting.

AVMS Implementation Update

16. Members noted the progress to date on the key themes of the AVMS implementation project with regards to scope, country of origin and product placement.

17. Members further noted the options for a new regulatory architecture for the regulation [witheld from published minutes].

Future of Radio – Update

18. Members noted that a statement had been published on the Future of Radio in November. The two main issues arising from consultation published in April were localness and that analogue format regulation be brought into line with that for DAB. A further consultation document had been published with a closing date of 21 December upon which 42 responses had been received.

19. Members noted that there had been a generally positive reaction to the proposals in the consultation from both industry, individuals and MPs. The item would be presented to PE and the Board, and published in mid-February.

20. Members were updated on movemements within the radio business, both in the UK and abroad.

Relationship with the BBC Trust (misleading material)

21. [witheld from published minutes].

22. [witheld from published minutes].

Standards Report

23. Members 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.

Contents & Standards Group Report

24. It was noted that matters discussed at the Contents & Standards Group had been covered in other agenda items.

Minutes of 11 December 2007 and Matters Arising

25. The minutes of the Content Board meeting held on 11 December were agreed, subject to any further amendments made by Members.

Rolling Forward Plan of Content Board Agendas

26. Members noted the Rolling Forward Plan of Content Board Agendas. It was noted that had been proposed that the BBC would attend the Editorial Standards Committee (“ESC”) on the 15 April which coincided with the monthly Content Board meeting. [witheld from published minutes].

Current Ofcom Issues

27. Membersreceived a report on the current Ofcom issues, and noted the minutes of the Ofcom Board meetings held on 27 November and 4 December 2007.

Report back from Radio Licensing Committee

28. Members received a report on current issues concerning the Radio Licensing Committee and Members noted the minutes of the 13 December 2007 RLC meeting.

Papers for information

29.Members noted the following paper for information:

30. In response to a question, the Chairman said he would clarify the “Citizens, communications and convergence” item mentioned in the Overview for January 2008, and report back to Members.

31. It was requested that Members be kept informed of developments with regard to the Oxford Media Convention.

Minutes for Noting

32. Members noted the minutes of the following meetings:-

Any Other Business

33. It was noted that the format of the Content Board Agenda would be changed on a provisional basis as from February.

34. The Chairman informed Members that Ed Richards would be attending the February meeting.

35. The Chairman reminded Members that the Annual Reception was being held on Monday 4 February, and that he be informed if Members wished to attend.

Date of Next meeting

The next meeting of the Content Board is planned for 12 February 2008 at Riverside House, London .

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