§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on ensuring that all people in the UK have access to a diverse media. [179742]
§ Estelle MorrisThe Government are committed to ensuring that all people in the United Kingdom have access to diverse media and brought forward the Communications Act 2003 to deliver that policy. For example, the Act requires the new communications regulator, Ofcom, to secure the availability throughout the United Kingdom of a wide range of electronic communications services and a wide range of television and radio services. Ofcom must also have regard to the desirability of encouraging the availability and use of high speed data transfer services throughout the United Kingdom. These responsibilities are supported by other provisions of the Act and by the Government's own policies for extending the availability of digital television services.