THE RADIO AUTHORITY - WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT DOES

The Radio Authority began its licensing and regulatory role on 1 January 1991 when the Broadcasting Act 1990 came into force. It is one of three bodies which replaced the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).

The Chair and other Members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. They are supported by forty-seven full-time and part-time staff.

The Authority licenses and regulates Independent Radio services, otherwise known as commercial radio. These comprise national, local, cable, satellite, national FM subcarrier, and restricted services. The latter includes all short-term, freely radiating services (for example, 'special event' radio) and highly localised permanent services such as hospital and student radio. The Authority also licenses digital radio services, both national and local.

The Authority is responsible for monitoring the obligations of its licensees as required by the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. The Authority has three main tasks: to plan frequencies; to appoint licensees with a view to broadening listener choice and to enforce ownership rules; and to regulate programming and advertising. It is required, after consultation, to publish codes to which its licensees must adhere. These cover engineering, programmes, advertising and sponsorship. The Authority can apply sanctions to licensees who break the rules. Sanctions include broadcast apologies and/or corrections, fines and the shortening or revocation of licences. The Authority plays an active role in the discussion and formulation of policies affecting the commercial radio industry and its listeners.

Licensees pay annual fees to the Authority and application fees are charged to applicants applying for licences. This is the Authority's only source of income and covers all its operating costs.

The Members of the Authority come from a variety of backgrounds, currently: broadcasting, law, education, journalism, and the music industry. Members are generally appointed for a period of five years.

The Authority's current Members are: David Witherow (Executive Chairman), Sheila Hewitt, Sara Nathan, Kate O'Rourke, Feargal Sharkey, Thomas Prag and Geraint Talfan Davies.

Copies of Members' biographies may be obtained from the link here and from the Authority's Press & Information Office, as well as codes, formats (a description of a station's character of service), guidance notes, and other publications.

Government intends to bring together the regulators of all broadcasting and telecommunications, including the Radio Authority, into a single new body, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), probably around the end of 2003.

April 2002

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Revised: July 10, 2003 .