Broadcasting - Legislation, Ownership and PSB

First of all have a look at a history of the BBC at the slideshow already published.

This is essential background stuff for this unit.

Legislation

You have to know the following acts of Parliament in terms of their legacy for the history of British broadcasting. I have included a link to help you find information with each piece of the legislation.

Peacock Committee 1986

Broadcasting Act 1990

Broadcasting Act 1996

Communications Act 2003

Hutton Enquiry 2004

Ownership and Public Service Broadcasting

The central debate is about public service (largely the BBC) versus commercial 'independent' broadcasting (as represented by ITV/ SKY for instance).

A lot of what you need about the independent sector as realised by the ITV companies and Channel 5 surrounds the Broadcasting Act of 1990 and the deregulation that followed. Most of the information you need for the impact in the early years after deregulation will be served by reading pp 202-209 of David McQueen - 'Television: A Media Student's Guide'.

You will have to know about the recent Ofcom PSB review that was delivered in January of this year:

Ofcom PSB Review January 2009

A guardian article about the same review:

Guardian Article

And lastly a Stephen Fry speech from May 2008 about the BBC and the future of public service broadcasting in the UK. Worth a look at.

Stephen Fry Speech