Home > Media and Analysts > News Release Archive > 2009 > Oct > 15|10|09

15|10|09

Digital Participation Consortium launched today

A new Consortium to promote Digital Participation in the UK will be launched today.

The Consortium - launched by Ofcom Chairman Colette Bowe and Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms MP - aims to increase the reach, breadth and depth of digital technology use. It also aims to maximise digital participation and promote its economic and social benefits.

The Consortium will encourage people to take up digital communication technologies by providing information, motivation and support.

The launch of the Consortium forms part of a fortnight of activity to raise awareness and encourage digital participation across the UK, starting with the launch of Race Online 2012 by the Governments Champion for Digital Inclusion Martha Lane Fox earlier this week. The BBC will launch its Online Access Forum at an event on 16th October and Ofcom will be supporting UK Online Centres Get Online Day on 23rd October.

Ofcom has today also published its UK Adults Media Literacy interim report which revealed that since 2007 there has been considerable growth in household take-up of the internet among older adults aged 65 and over (41 per cent vs. 26 per cent) and those in low income households (51 per cent vs. 35 per cent). However, these figures are still at a much lower level compared to all UK adults (73 per cent). The full research can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/media_literacy/medlitpub/medlitpubrss/uk_adults_ml/.

The Consortium

Following the Governments publication of the Digital Britain report in June, it asked Ofcom to form and chair the Consortium which, at todays launch, has over fifty members. They will contribute expertise and communications channels to promote Digital Participation. Membership is open to any organisation that can use its communication channels to inform and motivate people to become engaged with digital technologies or offer outreach to people who need support.

Some of the larger members include BT, the BBC, Channel 4 and BSkyB, who commented:

' This is a great opportunity to achieve a more inclusive Digital Britain by working together.'
Ian Livingston, Chief Executive, BT

" The BBC is delighted to be a part of the Consortium. Media Literacy as part of the wider programme of digital participation is key to the BBC's public purposes. Helping more of the population get connected to the internet is a major goal for the BBC, and as a trusted brand with the audience, we will use our content across a variety of platforms to help encourage that take up. The BBC is pleased to be working with key partners from the creative, commercial and third sector organisations to help achieve this goal which is vital for the future of the population of the UK."
Mark Thompson, Chief Executive, BBC

" It is impossible to overestimate the impact that digital technologies have on our everyday lives, particularly how we engage and consume information and media. We are delighted to be part of the Consortium and believe that working as a group we can ensure that everybody has access to the opportunities offered by a multimedia world."
Jon Gisby, Director of Future Media & Technology, Channel 4

" Greater access to digital communications will play a major part in driving the UKs economic performance in the coming years and will bring significant benefits to the whole of society. At Sky we are excited about the opportunities brought by the digital revolution and are working hard to ensure that customers not only get access to high-quality, great value services, but that they can do so easily and safely."
David Wheeldon, Director of Public Affairs and Policy, BSkyB

Stephen Timms, Minister for Digital Britain, said:

"The benefits to being online access to online health, financial, recruitment and communication services can significantly enhance a persons quality of life both economically and socially. I am pleased to be part of the Consortium for the Promotion of Digital Participation which will lead this project to ensure all the UK can enjoy the benefits of the internet for a brighter digital future."

Ofcom Partner for Content and Standards, Stewart Purvis, who chairs the Consortium said: "This is a great opportunity to really make a difference and its fantastic to have such enthusiastic support from our stakeholders. There is a lot to do to make it happen but we are all willing to give it a go."

The outcomes of the Digital Participation work will contribute to Ofcoms overall Access and Inclusion priorities which have today been confirmed. The full Access and Inclusion statement can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/access/ai_statement/.

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Ofcoms Digital Participation proposals were endorsed by Governments in the final Digital Britain Report, where the Government announced proposals for a National Plan for Digital Participation which combines an improved offer to increase motivation to get online, with social networking and outreach, and with skills training. The final Digital Britain Report can be found here: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/digitalbritain-finalreport-jun09.pdf.

2. The full list of Consortium members can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/digitalparticipation/

Back to top