Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Digital Britain Update: Actions and Implementation
Funding for sustainable, independent and impartial news, in the nations, locally and in the regions
A consultation on proposals for a contained, contestable element of the television licence fee to fund sustainable, independent and impartial news, in the Nations, locally and in the regions, is one of the documents published today. The Digital Britain White Paper made clear the Government’s commitment to audiences having choice of high quality, public service content. It made a particular case for the need for top-up funding to prevent a decline in the provision of impartial news in the Nations, locally and in the regions.
The 12-week consultation seeks views on the proposal for a contained, contestable element to be introduced to the next licence fee settlement.
Specifically, the consultation asks:
- Do you agree that securing plural sources of impartial news for the Nations, locally and in the regions should be a key priority?
- Do you agree that sustainable, impartial news in the Nations, locally and in the regions is likely to require some top-up public funding?
- Do you agree the Television Licence Fee should be used to support impartial news in the Nations, locally and in the regions in addition to BBC services?
- Do you agree that any funding within a "contained contestable element" of the television licence fee not required for impartial news should potentially be available to fund other forms of essential public service content, or should such funding be limited to news?
- Are there alternative funding mechanisms that you believe would deliver the above objectives more effectively?
- Do you agree with the proposal to set a maximum percentage of Television Licence Fee revenue which could be set aside as a contained contestable element?
- Do you agree that amending the BBC Agreement could provide the necessary protection to the BBC’s future funding and independence?
- Do you agree that the use of any contained contestable element within the Television Licence Fee should be restricted to the public purposes set out in the BBC Charter?
The consultation will end on 22 September.
The draft legislative programme set out plans for a Digital Economy Bill in the next Parliamentary session.
The update on the actions and implementation of the Digital Britain White Paper is published at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/consultations/6243.aspx The consultation document on funding for sustainable, independent and impartial news, in the Nations, locally and in the regions is published at - http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/5942.aspxThe Digital Britain White Paper is published at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/5631.aspx The draft legislative programme is available at: http://www.hmg.gov.uk/buildingbritainsfuture.aspx Department for Business Innovation & Skills press enquiries: 020 7215 5256www.bis.gov.uk
