During a communications bill debate last night, Culture minister Baroness Blackstone told the House of Lords, that the government would introduce amendments to strengthen new super regulator Ofcom's powers to protect local commercial radio programming. The strengthening of regulations is a major concession to lobbyists who fear that the liberalisation of radio ownership could lead to big US companies replacing local programming on local stations with syndicated output. The move is designed quell fears that US companies such as Clear Channel will enter the UK market and introduce syndicated programming.
She told the House: "We believe that there is a case for strengthening Ofcom's responsibilities for securing the broadcast of local material, of which an appropriate amount is locally made. The government is persuaded that we should make changes to the bill which retain protection for the local character of radio stations while addressing the issue of micro management [of the market by regulators]. I should like to consider the options and bring back amendments at the bill's report stage."