§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the groups and organisations which are restricted from being able to broadcast by radio and television; and on statutory restrictions on material which can be broadcast. [41370]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 11 March 2002]: In relation to ownership, the statutory rules broadly have the effect of disqualifying the following groups from holding licences;
non-EEA individuals and bodies (except licences to provide television multiplex services, national or local radio multiplex services, digital additional services, local delivery services, non-domestic satellite or radio services, licensable programme services and licensable sound programme services)local authoritiespolitical organisationsreligious organisations (regulators have discretion to waive this in relation to cable/satellite TV and local analogue, cable or satellite radio services)certain publicly funded bodies (this applies only to radio licences, apart from radio restricted service licences)advertising agenciesa person who is, in the opinion of the regulators, subject to influence from a body which is itself disqualified, the effect of which is, or is likely to be, adverse to the public interest.The Government's proposals for media ownership are set out in the consultation paper on media ownership rules published by DCMS and DTI in November 2001.
936WIn terms of material which by statute may not be broadcast, the broadcasting regulators, for example the ITC, are required to publish rules on a number of matters which are set out in the current Broadcasting Acts. They include material which is likely to encourage or incite to crime or to lead to disorder, and the advertising of specific products, including tobacco and prescription drugs.