§ Baroness Whartonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What powers the Radio Authority has to intervene in any corporate takeover of an independent national radio licence holder; what criteria are used by the authority to assess the suitability as a licence-holder of a company mounting such a takeover; and what steps the authority can take to ensure that promises of performance are adhered to in such a takeover situation. [HL2262]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Radio Authority may refuse to issue national radio licences and has powers to revoke licences already issued. The authority applies the restrictions on the control of radio licences set out in the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, and must refuse to issue such licences to companies which are specifically excluded under that legislation or in cases where the authority is not satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. The authority has a range of statutory powers enabling it to monitor a licensee's performance. If the authority is satisfied that the holder of a licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence, including the promise of performance, it may impose sanctions which may include financial penalties or the suspension or shortening of the licence period.
§ Baroness Whartonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to achieve their objectives of plurality and diversity of ownership in the media industries; what assessment they have made 6WA of the implications for these policy objectives of the proposed takeover by BSkyB/News International of one of the three independent national commercial radio stations; and whether they will hold an inquiry into that bid. [HL2261]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe media ownership controls included in the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 are designed to protect plurality and diversity in the media industries. The Government have no plans to introduce further legislation. One of the effects of the Broadcasting Acts is that, as its newspaper titles have over 20 per cent. of national circulation, News International cannot control a national analogue radio licence nor have a holding of more than 20 per cent. in a company which controls such a licence. The implementation of the radio ownership provisions of the Broadcasting Acts is solely a matter for the Radio Authority.
§ Baroness Whartonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the proposed takeover of Talk Radio by BSkyB/News International or associated companies would give to the potential new owners the same guaranteed access to digital capacity and control of digital radio multiplexes as is currently guaranteed to Talk Radio; and what consideration they have given to the implications of such access for the further dominance by Mr. Rupert Murdoch and his companies of the United Kingdom media industries. [HL2263]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyUnder Part II of the Broadcasting Act 1996, the three existing national independent stations have been guaranteed capacity on the digital radio multiplex. However, the ownership restrictions included in the Broadcasting Acts of 1990 and 1996 have the effect of preventing News International from controlling a national analogue radio licence or holding more than a 20 per cent. interest in a company which controls such a licence. No guarantees have been given to any companies in respect of the commercial digital multiplex licence, which will be awarded by the Radio Authority to the applicant best meeting the criteria set out in Section 47 of the Act.