Press Story

The report argues that old distinctions between media regulators and regulatory systems are redundant because of the impact of new communications technologies and changes in consumer behaviour.

The report calls for a new approach to deliver more consistent standards across all media, with more freedom for media companies to innovate and develop new business models. The report's recommendations include:

A new, platform-neutral approach to media regulation
A new independent regulator for the press - the News Publishing Authority - with statutory back up from Ofcom
An end to the quasi-judicial role for the Secretary of State over media mergers
Enhanced external oversight for the BBC, balanced with greater security over the licence fee

The report argues that simply applying tougher regulation to the printed media will further undermine its economic position. It says the polarised debate around statutory or non-statutory regulation is out of date and that a new approach is needed for all media - print, broadcast and online - with independent regulation as standard and a single statutory backstop for all.

The report recommends a new approach to media regulation which is 'platform neutral and content-led' with four independent authorities focusing on:

licensed news content (broadcasters)
unlicensed news publishing
non-news content
advertising

Each of the new authorities should be independent but involve industry and consumer representation in developing standards and overseeing day to day operations. Each new body would operate at arm's length from the statutory regulator, Ofcom. But Ofcom would hear appeals, approve draft standards codes and give support for sanctions.

The News Publishing Authority would be part of this framework - free of political interference, and involving the industry as well as lay representation. It would have recourse to Ofcom's back-stop powers to compel membership, arbitrate effectively and impose meaningful sanctions. Large news providers (both print and on-line) would be required to sign up to a new regulatory body and offer better redress for printing false or malicious stories (including front page apologies). On the basis of platform neutrality, the press must also be free to develop opinionated TV-like content for distribution online and on-demand, not bound by impartiality rules.

The report argues that assessments of media plurality should also be platform neutral. Judgements on concentrations of power and influence should be taken using a 'basket' of measures, with consideration given to the continuing viability of established titles and media groups. The report argues that the quasi-judicial role for the Secretary of State should be abolished, with Ofcom taking responsibility for media competition and plurality issues with enhanced accountability to Parliament.

The report argues that a more consistent approach to content standards is needed across media platforms and routes to redress for consumers should be simplified. Producers and distributors should develop a common age classification system for on demand and broadcast content. Accuracy and impartiality in BBC content should be assessed in the same way as other editorial standards are today. The process would continue to be led by the BBC Trust but with a role for external regulation, including hearing consumer complaints on appeal.

The report says that at the same time, the future of the UK's public service broadcasters should be made more secure as media convergence expands choice and challenges traditional funding models. The next BBC charter and agreement should provide security of status and funding for ten years in return for a much more open and transparent process for setting the licence fee and a clear programme of activities set out by the BBC. ITV and Channel 4 should be given greater security over their public service status, with sustainable obligations, and licences renewed for ten years from 2014.

Nigel Warner, IPPR associate fellow and author of the new report, said:

"The UK has benefitted from one of the most vibrant and diverse media markets in the world, with superb public service broadcasters, a lively free press and an abundance of new media players.

"Nevertheless, research commissioned for this report shows that trust in Britain's media has plummeted. At the same time, extraordinary technological change poses economic challenges to all traditional media, especially the printed press.

"After the phone hacking scandal, the clear public demand for higher standards and firmer regulation of the press must be met. But the all our media is under pressure, and under scrutiny at this time.

"Leveson will be important, but is only part of the picture. Government and parliament will need to set Leveson into a wider context of the transforming media landscape. If we want to sustain and strengthen the UK's rich media mix then a new regulatory framework is needed, to take a more consistent approach to both upholding standards and sustaining plurality in Britain's media."

Notes to Editors:

IPPR's new report - Life after Leveson: The challenge to strengthen Britain's diverse and vibrant media - will be available to download from: http://bit.ly/IPPR9944

Contact:

Richard Darlington, 07525 481 602 r.darlington@ippr.org