§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has to extend the jurisdiction of the ITC and the scope of the Broadcasting Acts to companies based abroad who, through cable, broadcast in the United Kingdom; [66257]
262W(2) how he intends to ensure that the political impartiality required by the Broadcasting Acts is maintained in respect of broadcasts being made in the United Kingdom by companies based abroad; and if he will make a statement. [66256]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 20 January 1999]: Transfrontier broadcasting in Europe is regulated, in the European Economic Area, by Council Directive 89/552/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 97/36/EC ("The Broadcasting Directive"). Outside this area it is regulated by the European Convention on Transfrontier Television of the Council of Europe. Both legal instruments enshrine the "home State" principle; where a broadcaster is under the jurisdiction of one State, and hence licensed by that State, it may transmit freely to all others, provided that the minimum standards of the Directive or Convention are complied with. The Independent Television Commission may not extend its jurisdiction over such broadcasters, whether they broadcast by means of cable or satellite in the United Kingdom. Conversely, an ITC licensed broadcaster cannot be under the jurisdiction of any other State. By these means, a free market in legitimately licensed broadcasting services has been created throughout Europe.
European public service broadcasters are expected to observe principles of political impartiality and balance in their coverage of news and current affairs. This is regulated by the competent authorities in individual States. Any concern about political impartiality in a programme from abroad would need to be taken up on a bilateral basis either with the relevant regulatory authority or with the relevant Government.