Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Independent review to look at rules governing local radio
John Myers has been appointed to lead an independent review looking into the rules governing local content in radio, a key action from the Interim Digital Britain report. This review will inform the Government's thinking as it looks towards a digital future for radio.
The purpose of the review will be to consider and then make recommendations on the following questions:
* What role should radio have in delivering local content in a
predominantly digital media landscape?
* What is the most
effective way to deliver local content, via local radio, in a
digital age?
and
* To what extent are the current
requirements for a pre-determined number of hours of local
content, and the locality in which content is produced,
appropriate and sustainable?
As part of the review process John Myers will convene a small advisory group to bring together a wide variety of views and inform thinking on future options.
Stephen Carter, said:
"I am pleased that John Myers has agreed to take forward this review which will be key in informing Government's thinking on the future of local radio."
John Myers, said:
"We know that consumers value local content, particularly on local radio, and that successive governments and regulators have sought to secure this through localness rules. It is only right that as we move towards a predominantly digital landscape for radio we consider the appropriateness of the current rules and how local content should be preserved in the future.
"The Interim Digital Britain Report has shown government's appetite to tackle the challenges facing the media industry. I am looking forward to contributing to this Digital Britain process."
The review will be completed by the end of March.
Notes to editors
1. The Interim Digital Britain report was published on 29 January 2009 more information can be found at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/5783.aspx
2. More information on digital radio and the work of the Digital Radio Working Group can be found at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/4014.aspx
3. John Myers is Chairman of the Radio Academy and also Chief Executive of Guardian Media Group's radio division. He started his career nearly 30 years ago at BBC Radio Cumbria before launching Century, Real Radio, Rock and Smooth across the UK. He is leaving GMG a month earlier than planned to lead this review. (John Myers is taking a break from radio after 10 years at GMG).
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