13-01-2011, 19:39
Ofcom are currently carryingout two consultations with regard to reviewing their enforcement procedures and what stakeholders want to see in their annual plan.
Whilst we can comment on both consultations, and i would advise that we do, the main impact for complainants and broadcasters is the enforcement consultation.
This consultation is titled
Review of procedures for handling broadcasting complaints, investigations and sanctions
and can be found here
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consult...ts-review/
This review impacts on both the
Procedures for the handling of broadcasting standards or other licence-related cases
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadca...standards/
and
Procedures for the consideration of statutory sanctions in broadcasting or other licence-related cases
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadca...sanctions/
Now i have only had a cursory look at the impact of this review and the proposals by Ofcom mainly driven to save money, but a layer of appeal is being removed. Ofcom believe there is no need for a formal review mechanism, currently broadcasters can request this and it is heard by the Broadcast Review Committee. Ofcom want to abolish this committee to save money.
Another area is the removal of the Broadcasting Sanctions Committee with the consideration and determination of statutory sanctions carried out by any person within Ofcom with delegated authority.
Now with decisions and sanctions being watered down to officer level there is likely to be more subjective and perverse decisions being made with appropriate (disappropriate) sanctions dished out.
Add to this the removal of a layer of appeal will possibly result in even more harsh treatment being handed down to small broadcasters who do not have the funds or political clout to influence/fight decisions.
If the review was then to add an external appeal process against decisions to an independant tribunal or magistrate court then it would add more balance but this is not the case and this is purely driven by cost with the interest of stakeholders coming a poor last.
I will be reading the complete consultation documents and would urge all forum members interested in justice and a fair hearing do the same.
All broadcasters need to do the same.
The consultation on the draft annual plan is also posted and whilst with less significance will focus Ofcom for the next financial year. Content is included and again i ask you to read and comment.
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consult...aftap1112/
If you want to be a part of change this is your first oppurtunity don't let it pass.
I would ask that all comment on this thread is directed against content within the consultation documents and not just personal anger at Ofcom.
Whilst we can comment on both consultations, and i would advise that we do, the main impact for complainants and broadcasters is the enforcement consultation.
This consultation is titled
Review of procedures for handling broadcasting complaints, investigations and sanctions
and can be found here
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consult...ts-review/
This review impacts on both the
Procedures for the handling of broadcasting standards or other licence-related cases
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadca...standards/
and
Procedures for the consideration of statutory sanctions in broadcasting or other licence-related cases
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadca...sanctions/
Now i have only had a cursory look at the impact of this review and the proposals by Ofcom mainly driven to save money, but a layer of appeal is being removed. Ofcom believe there is no need for a formal review mechanism, currently broadcasters can request this and it is heard by the Broadcast Review Committee. Ofcom want to abolish this committee to save money.
Another area is the removal of the Broadcasting Sanctions Committee with the consideration and determination of statutory sanctions carried out by any person within Ofcom with delegated authority.
Now with decisions and sanctions being watered down to officer level there is likely to be more subjective and perverse decisions being made with appropriate (disappropriate) sanctions dished out.
Add to this the removal of a layer of appeal will possibly result in even more harsh treatment being handed down to small broadcasters who do not have the funds or political clout to influence/fight decisions.
If the review was then to add an external appeal process against decisions to an independant tribunal or magistrate court then it would add more balance but this is not the case and this is purely driven by cost with the interest of stakeholders coming a poor last.
I will be reading the complete consultation documents and would urge all forum members interested in justice and a fair hearing do the same.
All broadcasters need to do the same.
The consultation on the draft annual plan is also posted and whilst with less significance will focus Ofcom for the next financial year. Content is included and again i ask you to read and comment.
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consult...aftap1112/
If you want to be a part of change this is your first oppurtunity don't let it pass.
I would ask that all comment on this thread is directed against content within the consultation documents and not just personal anger at Ofcom.