Communication and Media in the United Kingdom

Report for an 'International Media Studies' class. No good. Not to be taken seriously.


Communication and Media in the United Kingdom

Table of Contents

1 Introduction to the United Kingdom
2 Communication Forms and Media in the United Kingdom
2.1 Print Media
2.2 Broadcast Media
2.2.1 Radio
2.2.2 Television
2.2.2.1 The Television License Fee
2.3 Telecommunications
3 Policy and regulation of Communications and the Media in the United Kingdom
3.1 The Department for Culture, Media and Sport
3.2 The Office of Communications
3.3 The Press Complaints Commission
3.3.1 The Editor’s Code of Practice
4 Relevant Defining features of Media in the United Kingdom
4.1 Public Service Broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Australia
5 Challenges to Media and Communication Policy in the United Kingdom
5.1 Switching Over to Digital in the United Kingdom
5.2 Media Convergence in the United Kingdom
5.2.1 The Digital Britain Review
6 Recommendations and Conclusions for the Minister and for Media and Communication in Australia
6.1 Switching Over to Digital in Australia
6.2 Media Convergence in Australia
7 List of References


Executive Summary

This report is intended for Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, to aid his visit to the United Kingdom to discuss approaches to media and communications policy with the Minister for Communications, Technology, and Broadcasting, Stephen Carter CBE (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009, ‘Our…’). It gives a brief outline of the current situation of the media industry in the United Kingdom, identifying key challenges affecting media policy and the strategies being implemented to address them. This report highlights similarities between Australian media and communication industries and those of the United Kingdom, and suggests ways by which Australia might benefit from correspondence between the two countries on media and communication issues.

1 Introduction to the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) has long played a key role in international affairs, and is a significant member of organisations such as: European Union (Europa, 2009); the United Nations (Department of Public Information, 2009); and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO, 2009). The UK consists of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), and Northern Ireland. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and the Prime Minister of the UK is Gordon Brown (BBC News, 2009).

2 Communication Forms and Media in the United Kingdom

2.1 Print Media
There is a widespread press presence in the UK, which includes Telegraph Media Group’s The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited, 2009), Pearson’s The Financial Times (Pearson, 2009), The Guardian Media Group’s The Guardian (Guardian Media Group PLC, 2007), Independent News & Media PLC’s The Independent (Independent News & Media PLC, 2008), News Corporation’s The Times and The Sun (News Corporation, 2009), Trinity Mirror PLC’s The Mirror and Western Mail (Trinity Mirror PLC, 2009), Associated Newspaper’s The Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Limited, 2008), Northern & Shell’s The Daily Express (N&S Network, 2006), and Johnston Press’ The Scotsman (Johnston Press PLC, 2009)(BBC News, 2009).

2.2 Broadcast Media
Public-service broadcasting has been a significant part of UK broadcast media since 1922, when the British Broadcasting Company began broadcasting on the radio. Commercial television was introduced in 1955 and commercial radio in the 1970s. These days the BBC competes with many commercial broadcasters (BBC News, 2009).

2.2.1 Radio
The BBC’s radio broadcasting role is extensive, with services that include eleven national radio stations, forty local radio stations and BBC World Service (BBC Radio, 2009). These non-commercial stations are funded by the Television License Fee (see 2.2.2.1). Some of the main commercial groups in radio broadcasting are Absolute Radio, Talk Sport and Classic FM. Radio in the UK is beginning to move away from analogue and into digital formats (BBC News, 2009).

2.2.2 Television
Public and private broadcasting companies provide television services in the United Kingdom. The Television Licensing Fee also funds the BBC’s non-commercial television services (see 2.2.2.1). Channel 4 and, in Wales, S4C are public stations financed by both Government grants and advertising revenue. There are also privately owned commercial broadcasters ITV, Five and Teletext. (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009, ‘The BBC…’). Television in the UK is also moving toward completely digital transmission (see 5.1). There are also many cable and satellite networks available.

2.2.2.1 The Television License Fee
The BBC Royal Charter authorises a Television License Fee, set by the Department of Culture, media and Sport, which funds the BBC’s public broadcasting services across the UK Television licenses are compulsory for households with a television receiver (BBC, 2009, ‘About the BBC: Royal…’).
A group of private companies called TV Licensing oversee the enforcement of this system under contract by the BBC.
There are currently 25 million active TV Licenses, 3.9 million of these are provided free of charge to people over 75 and about 40, 000 are provided at a 50% blind concession rate. The current annual TV license costs £142.50 for colour and £48.00 for black and white (TV Licensing, 2009).

2.3 Telecommunications
There are mobile and landline telephone networks in the United Kingdom and Broadband and Dial-up Internet service providers. Many traditional media (print, radio and television) are turning to the Internet as a new improved platform for reaching audiences (Thussu, 2006:217-218). Privately owned providers dominate telecommunications in the UK (p.67).

3 Policy and Regulation of Communication and Media in the United Kingdom
The main bodies that regulate the media and enforce policy in the UK include The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Office of Communications and the Press Complaints Commission.

3.1 The Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport overlooks government policy for broadcasting, the arts and the creative industries (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009, ‘The BBC…’). Rt Hon. Andy Burnham MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Stephen Carter CBE, the Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting, work under this department (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009, ‘Our Min…’).

3.2 The Office of Communications
Under the Communications Act 2003, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) was established. It is the regulatory body for UK radio, television, telecommunication and wireless communication systems. The act describes their main duty as furthering the communication and media interests of citizens and promoting market competition in the interests of consumers (Office of Public Sector Information, 2003: Section 3).
Ofcom is also obligated to ensure diverse radio and television services, diverse broadcast providers, and the broad availability of electronic communication services. They are also responsible for protecting citizens from any possible harm, privacy infringement, unfair treatment or offense from television or radio programming.

3.3 The Press Complaints Commission
In 1953 a voluntary Press Council was established and since then UK print media has been mainly self-regulated. In 1991 the Press Council was replaced by the Press Complaints Commission, which regulates publications by responding to complaints and enforcing the Editor’s Code of Practice (Press Complaints Commission, 2009).

3.3.1 The Editor’s Code of Practice
The Editor’s Code of Practice is a set of values similar to those of Australia’s Media Alliance Code of Ethics. It provides guidelines for UK magazine and newspaper publishing, with a set of ethical standards relating to privacy, accuracy, discrimination, harassment, right to reply and many other possible media issues (Press Complaints Commission, 2007).

4 Relevant Defining Features of Media in the United Kingdom

4.1 Public Service Broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Australia
Public service broadcasting has been recognised by the UK as a key tool for shaping their national media identity. Not only intending to provide cultural access to wide sections of the public, but also to enable people the opportunity to fulfill their roles as citizens, the BBC model has greatly contributed to the global media presence of the UK (Jacka in Cunningham and Turner, 2006:345), still being one of Europe’s largest television program exporters (Thussu, 2006:119).
The BBC was established in 1927 and was originally intended to create a non-profit, publicly run broadcasting monopoly in the UK (Thussu, 2000:26). Australia’s public service broadcasters, SBS and especially ABC were originally based on the BBC model, but these channels did not enjoy as much government support as their UK counterpart, and continue to receive less funding yearly (Jacka in Cunningham and Turner, 2006:348)
The United Kingdom has forged a strong international identity with their cross-media pubic broadcasting sector and is evidence of how government support can strongly reinforce cultural development.

5 Challenges to Media and Communication Policy in the United Kingdom

5.1 Switching Over to Digital in the United Kingdom
The ‘switchover’ to digital radio and television broadcast services is one of the primary concerns of the broadcast media industries in both the UK and Australia at present. Under the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom initiated a plan to discontinue analogue broadcasting methods in favour of digital. Digital promises a wider range of subscription options, increased quality, greater selection of channels and wider access, in particular for the hearing and sight impaired. The plan was enacted in 2008 and will be carried out by 2012 (DigitalUK, 2009).

5.2 Media Convergence in the United Kingdom
As technologies become more accessible and advanced, the distinctions between different sectors of media, company interests and content areas are progressively becoming ambiguous. Australia and the UK alike are in an era marked by ‘media convergence’ that has resulted from the relaxation of cross-media ownership restrictions and deregulation of the industries. Companies are moving to expand their interests with acquisitions and mergers, resulting in a more concentrated ownership across media outlets (Thussu, 2006:98) The UK is responding to this change in the media landscape and its implications for policy and regulation. One of these responses includes the establishment of a core body of experts known as the Digital Britain review.

5.2.1 The Digital Britain Review
On January 29, 2009, the UK Government published a report proposing many steps toward asserting their country as one of the leading countries in the digital economy. This report listed 22 goals such as the digitalization of television and radio, increased access to broadband Internet and the possible creation of a second large-scale UK pubic service provider (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009, ‘Digital Brit...’). The Digital Britain review replaced the Convergence Think Talk, a joint initiative between the U.K. Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which aimed to examine technological implications for media and help shape policy (Convergence Think Tank, 2008).

6 Recommendations and Conclusions for the minister and for Media and Communication in Australia

6.1 Switching Over to Digital in Australia
According to the Australia’s Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, Australia’s deadline for switching over to digital media is end of 2013. The Digital Switchover Taskforce is the section of the department that will oversee the switchover and aims to address research, awareness, policy, information and access issues (Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, 2009).

The Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy will benefit from dialogue with the United Kingdom over implementation of switchover timetabling and strategy, as well as discussion of awareness, intention of the public to convert and research into conversion rates.

6.2 Media Convergence in Australia
Media convergence will certainly call for a reconsideration of policy and regulation in Australia in relation to ownership across mediums, service delivery and content. The level of market competition increases as the variety of content provided by media outlets decreases (Cunningham and Turner, 2006), which could have positive effects such as encouraging providers to provide quality services at less cost to the consumer.
Like the UK, Australia too should prepare to change with the evolving landscape of the media. The growing influence of multinational and transnational corporations and the effects of industry globalisation mean that it is up to the Department to keep abreast of both international and domestic converging markets.

7 List of References

Associated Newspapers Limited, 2008. Daily Mail [Internet] Associated Newspapers Limited Website, available at: http://www.associatednewspapers.com/dailymail.htm [Accessed 29 April 2009]

BBC, 2009. About the BBC: BBC License Fee [Internet] BBC Website, available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/licencefee/ [Accessed 27 April 2009]

BBC, 2009. About the BBC: Royal Charter and Agreement [Internet] BBC Website, available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/ [Accessed 28 April 2009]

BBC News, 2009. Country Profile: United Kingdom [Internet] BBC News Website, available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1038758.stm [Accessed 27 April 2009]

BBC Radio, 2009. Home [Internet] available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio [Accessed 28 April 2009]

Convergence Think Tank, 2008. Welcome to the Convergence Think Tank Website [Internet] Department for Culture, Media and Sport Website, available at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/Convergence/ [Accessed 26 April 2009]

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009. Digital Britain: The Interim Report – Government outlines plans for UK’s digital transition [Internet], Department for Culture, Media and Sport Website, available at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/5783.aspx [Accessed 29 April 2009]

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009. Our Ministers [Internet] Department for Culture, Media and Sport Website, available at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/our_ministers/default.aspx [Accessed 24 April 2009]

Department for Culture Media and Sport, 2009. The BBC and other Public Service Broadcasting [Internet] Department for Culture, media and Sport Website, available at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/Broadcasting/bbc_public_service_broadcasting/ [Accessed 24 April 2009]

Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, 2009. Digital Television Switchover, [Internet] Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy Website, available at: http://www.dbcde.gov.au/media_broadcasting/television/digital_televison_switchover [Accessed 26 April 2009]

Department for Public Information, 2009. United Nations Member States [Internet] United Nations Website, available at: http://www.un.org/members/list.shtml [Accessed 28 April 2009]

Digital UK, 2009. What is the digital TV switchover? Benefits, information and advice [Internet] Digital UK Ltd., available at: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/what [Accessed 28 April 2009]

Europa, 2009. The European Union at a Glance [Internet] Europa Website, available at: http://europa.eu/abc/index_en.htm [Accessed 27 April 2009]

Guardian Media Group PLC, 2007. Our Businesses: Guardian News & Media [Internet] Guardian Media Group Website, available at: http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/Ourbusinesses/GuardianNewsMedia/tabid/129/Default.aspx [Accessed 28 April 2009]

Independent News & Media PLC, 2008. About INM [Internet] Independent News & Media PLC Website, available at: http://www.inmplc.com/about-inm/profile/ [Accessed 28 April 2009]

Jacka, E. 2006. ‘The Future of Public Broadcasting’, in The Media & Communications in Australia (2nd ed), Cunningham, S & Turner, G (Eds.), Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

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NATO, 2009. NATO Member Countries, [Internet] NATO Website, available at: http://www.nato.int/structur/countries.htm [Accessed 28 April 2009]

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Press Complaints Commission, 2009. Newspaper and Magazine Publishing in the U.K.: Editor’s Code of Practice [Internet] Press Complaints Commission Website,available at: http://www.pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html [Accessed 26 April 2009]

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Thussu, D. K., 2000. International Communication: Continuity and Change, Arnold, Great Britain.

Thussu, D. K., 2006. International Communication: Continuity and Change (2nd ed.), Hodder Arnold, Great Britain.

Trinity Mirror PLC, 2009. Nationals Division [Internet] Trinity Mirror Website, availabe at:http://www.trinitymirror.com/brands/nationals/ [Accessed 29 April 2009]

TV Licensing, 2009. TV License Information [Internet], TV Licensing Website, available at:http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp [Accessed 27 April 2009]