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The UK Government announced plans at the end of 2000 for a fundamental reform of communications regulation, creating a single new regulator to cover both telecommunications and broadcasting (see IRIS 2001-1: 8). A Bill is expected shortly that will implement the proposals. However, a controversial question has been the future regulation of the BBC. The new regulator will be responsible for regulating the BBC's basic standards of taste and decency; the application to it of quotas for matters such as regional and independent productions and the economic regulation of matters such as fair-trading....

The Pro-Life Alliance, which is registered as a political party under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, contested seats at the last UK general election. It submitted a video to the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 for transmission during its party election broadcast. The video contained images of the products of a suction abortion and some pictures of the results of an abortion at later stages. There was no sound and some text (including the text of Articles 2, 3 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights). The broadcasters met several times to consider the video...

The Independent Television Commission, the UK broadcasting regulator, has made minor amendments to its "Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events". The Code relates to the listed events (drawn up by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) for which the acquisition of exclusive rights for live television coverage is restricted, and for which broadcasting on an exclusive basis requires the Commission's consent. The code gives details of various matters relating to the treatment of such events, including the definition of "live" used, matters to be taken into account in giving...

The UK Office of Fair Trading, the main body which enforces competition law, has announced that it proposes to make a decision that BSkyB has behaved anti-competitively, infringing UK competition law. The company now has the opportunity to make representations before the Office reaches a final decision, which is not expected before Summer 2002. The decision relates to abuse of a dominant position, which is prohibited under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998. The UK law is almost identical to the provisions of Article 82 of the EC Treaty. The Office decided that BSkyB has a dominant position...

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) which regulates broadcasting in the UK (except for the BBC) has issued revised codes on its competition procedures and on public consultation. The competition code sets out the statutory basis for the ITC's competition duties, which include securing fair and effective competition between broadcasters and ensuring that a wide range of services is available (the Broadcasting Act 1990, s. 2(2)(a)). It is closely linked with the responsibilities of other regulators and competition authorities, and to avoid overlap, the ITC is a member of the Standing Committee...