Access key 0 - Accessibility, Access key 2 - Jump to content, Access key 7 - Jump to navigation
Skip To Content | Skip To Navigation
 

Home > About Ofcom > Corporate Structure and Governance > Content Board > Notes of Content Board  > 58th


27|06|08

Minutes of the Fifty Eighth Meeting of the Ofcom Content Board Held at Riverside House, London on Tuesday 12 February 2008

Present

Philip Graf Chairman
Adam Singer Deputy Chairman
Richard Ayre Member
Sue Balsom Member
Millie Banerjee Member
Chris Banatvala 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
Graham Howell Corporation Secretary
Colette Bowe Ofcom Board Member as an observer
Other Ofcom Colleagues

Apologies

Pam Giddy Member

Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed Colette Bowe, Ofcom Board Member, who was attending the meeting as an observer.

Members’ Interests

2. There were no new declarations for the Register.

Update by Ed Richards

3. Ed Richards updated Members on the key policy matters within Ofcom which would merit discussion and engagement with the Content Board. Five main policy areas were identified and were discussed with the Members. They were:

  • The Future of Radio generally [witheld from published minutes].
  • The PSB Review
  • The impending results of the Byron Review and recent initiatives on mobile content
  • High Definition on Digital Terrestrial Television
  • Standards and sanctions and the continuing work on ‘fakery’ being handled by the Standards team.

    • Report back from Radio Licensing Committee

    4. Members received an update on current issues concerning the Radio Licensing Committee. [witheld from published minutes].

    Public Service Broadcasting Review

    5. Members were given an introduction and brief overview of the emerging story of Phase 1 of the PSB Review which was detailed in a slide pack that had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. It was noted that the slide pack would form the basis of a consultation document for the first phase of the review to be published in April

    6. The slide pack identified four possible models for the future and it was intended that the consultation document would set out clearly the broad range of options and and a framework for debate which would be brought to a conclusion through the consultation process.

    7. To enable a logical, focussed discussion to take place, the item was split into six key areas of the slide pack on which the Members would give colleagues feedback and comments. These were:

  • UK Originations
  • Future Challenges
  • Plurality
  • Interactive Media
  • Long-term Models
  • Nations, Regions and Localities

    • 8. [witheld from published minutes].

    9. It was noted that the Content Board would be discussing the findings of the quantitative and deliberative research that was conducted for Phase one of the Review at the next meeting on 4 March 2008. This would also be an opportunity for the project team to update Members on the development of the full consultation document and any changes in policy thinking.

    10 Members requested that they further discuss the issue of Nations, Regions and Localities at the meeting in March.

    RADA (Rules on the Amount and Distribution of Advertising) Review

    11. Members were briefly updated on the progress of the review and noted that a full draft consultation document, with guidance on key points, would be presented at the next meeting in March 2008.

    12. The key points raised were:

  • The rules had not changed substantively since the 1950s.
  • The AVMS Directive allowed Ofcom to consider adjusting the rules and simplifying them.
  • Advertising break frquency would be linked with minutage.
  • Ofcom would be proposing the removal of the “twenty minute” rule.

    • Gaelic Media Service Operational Plan

    13. Ofcom has a statutory relationship with the Gaelic Media Service (GMS). As part of this, Ofcom has an obligation to consider whether the budgetary provisions for staffing, board members and operating expenses in the GMS Operational Plan for 2008/09 are acceptable and whether the overall budgetary provisions maintaining the remit of the GMS.

    14. Members noted paper 03(08). In line with the recommendation made by Ofcom’s Gaelic Review Panel, the Board approved the GMS 2008/09 Operational Plan.

    Co-Regulation of Equal Opportunities

    15. Members were updated on the next steps regarding co-regulation of equal opportunities following the consultation. [witheld from published minutes]

    16. [witheld from published minutes]

    17. [witheld from published minutes]

    18. [witheld from published minutes]

    Update on Standards and Fairness and Privacy Work

    19. Members received the new format of this update, the objective of which was to provide a broad overview of the most important case work in Standards and Fairness and Privacy.

    20. Members agreed that this was very helpful and noted the update.

    Participation TV Part 2: Separation of Advertising and Editorial

    21. [witheld from published minutes].

    22. [witheld from published minutes].

    23. [witheld from published minutes].

    Contents & Standards Group Report

    24. Members received an update on current issues within the Content and Standards Group. They noted that there had been a review of the structure of the Content and Standards Group (C&S) and that an announcement on changes in the Group would be made shortly.

    25. It was agreed that Members would recieve an update with a clear structure for the C&S Group at the next meeting on 4 March 2008.

    Minutes of 8 January 2008 and Matters Arising

    26. The minutes of the Content Board meeting held on 8 January 2008 were agreed.

    Matters Arising

    27. The matters arising from the minutes of 22 January 2008 were noted. [witheld from published minutes]

    28. [witheld from published minutes].

    Rolling Forward Plan of Content Board Agendas

    29. Members noted the Rolling Forward Plan of Content Board Agendas.

    Current Ofcom Issues

    30. The Chairman noted that these issues had principally been covered earlier in the meeting in the update given by Ed Richards. Members were advised that Stuart Macintosh had joined Ofcom as the Competition Partner.The minutes of the Ofcom Board meeting held on 18 December 2007 were noted.

    Papers for information

    31. Members noted the following reports for information:

    Minutes for Noting

    32. Members noted the minutes of the following meetings:

    Any Other Business

    33. There was no other business.

    Date of Next meeting

    34. The date of the next meeting of the Content Board is 4 March 2008 at Riverside House, London.


    Back to top Back to top


    Further information

    Help

    Keep up-to-date