LETTER: Debate on media diversity

Mp,Graham Allen
Friday 11 August 1995 18:02 EDT
Comments

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.

From Mr Graham Allen, MP

Sir: I hope the Departments of National Heritage and Trade and Industry have taken serious note of Oftel's consultative document (Report, 8 August), which is a welcome early move to stimulate debate on issues surrounding media convergence.

The threat of over-dominant players who find loopholes in the separate regulation of what have been separate industries and suffocate media diversity must be met head-on. Oftel's document is a valiant effort to eliminate any scope for monopoly abuse ahead of time, as is the Independent Television Commission's work on a code to govern "conditional access".

The Government should make sure that it is as forward-looking in its own pronouncements. I hope the imminent White Paper on digital broadcasting will not disappoint those who wish to see a diverse and prosperous multimedia future.

Yours faithfully,

Graham Allen

MP for Nottingham North (Lab)

House of Commons

London, SW1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in