§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to amend section 92 of the Representation of the People Act 1981 to require satellite television organisations broadcasting to the United Kingdom to report on parliamentary by-elections and general elections on the same basis and under the same conditions regarding balance and impartiality as apply to the BBC and ITV companies.
§ Mr. RentonOur White Paper on broadcasting proposes that satellite services uplinked from the United Kingdom should be subject to various consumer protection requirements, including that news should be impartial and accurate and that due impartiality should be preserved in dealing with matters of political or industrial controversy or relating to current public policy. There is also a provision in the Council of Europe convention on transfrontier television which requires broadcasters to ensure that news fairly presents facts and events and encourages the free formation of opinions. Those countries which adopt the convention will be required to ensure that their broadcasting services, including satellite channels, comply with its provisions.