Tory warning over TV 'stranglehold'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.RHYS WILLIAMS
Media Correspondent
A former member of John Major's Downing Street policy unit has warned that the explosion in television channels will be meaningless unless the Government guarantees rival broadcasters access to delivery systems.
In a pamphlet of essays on cross-media ownership published by the BBC this week, Damian Green argues that a single operator, such as Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB, could gain a stranglehold on access to the new digital channels if there was no legislation to prevent monopoly control over the digital gateway - the decoders viewers need to watch subscription services.
Through its pioneering efforts in developing a pay system that works, BSkyB already enjoys an effective monopoly over encryption technology.
Mr Green, prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Ashford in Kent, agrees with the government proposals for a licensing system for the 18 new digital terrestrial television channels. Run by Oftel, this would prevent any provider of encryption or subscription services from discriminating for or against service providers.
In another essay, Tim Congdon, one of the Treasury's panel of independent advisers (the "wise men"), warns that market solutions are not sufficient to ensure cultural diversity and political pluralism.
"The determinants of maximum profits are on a differnet plane from the preconditions of healthy political debate," he writes.
He adds that as television fragments, he believes the need for a public service broadcaster will grow.
nBBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm, yesterday announced the creation of a new division, BBC Worldwide Learning, to capitalise on the rapidly expanding market for educational services.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments