Local and Regional Media in the UK

Discussion document published 22|09|09

Executive summary

This report stems from our statutory duties

1.1 Ofcom has statutory duties to secure the availability throughout the United Kingdom of a wide range of television and radio services of high quality and wide appeal and to maintain sufficient plurality of providers of different television and radio services.

1.2 We also have a duty to ensure optimal use of the radio spectrum, including whether and how we make spectrum available for digital terrestrial television (DTT) services. In performing those duties, Ofcom must, among other things, have regard to the different needs and interests of everyone who may wish to use the spectrum for wireless telegraphy, including use of spectrum for local television.

1.3 In carrying out these duties, we have undertaken a series of separate studies to understand the challenges facing the delivery of content to consumers and citizens across the UK, with a particular focus on local content. This report brings together the evidence and analysis which underpins this work, assessing how well local content is being delivered to consumers and citizens, and examining the prospects for delivery in the future.

1.4 Ofcom also has duties specific to radio broadcasting, which include the licensing of local commercial and community radio stations and maintaining a range and diversity of local stations broadcasting local material. In fulfilling this duty, the report refers to changes to the regulation of commercial radio which we set out in a separate consultation in July.

1.5 In addition, Ofcom has a duty to report and make recommendations to the Secretary of State at least every three years on the operation of the media ownership rules, which include rules relating to local media ownership. In a separate report published in July, we have consulted on the liberalisation of the local media ownership rules, prior to making our recommendations to the Secretary of State later in the year.

1.6 In the future, following the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT's) recent review of the local and regional media merger regime , Ofcom will also be required to conduct a Local Media Assessment in cases relating to local media mergers involving one or more local or regional newspapers which raise prima facie competition concerns.

The report is set in the context of existing work by Ofcom and Government

1.7 In our Second Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Review, 'Putting Viewers First' completed in January 2009 , we focused on the historic and continuing importance of TV programming from the nations and regions.

1.8 In the review, we recognised that there were growing pressures on traditional models of delivering content to audiences across the different parts of the UK. We also highlighted the growing importance of content aimed at local audiences and the potential for new models of delivery of such content.

1.9 We concluded that we needed a more detailed analysis on the provision of public service content at a local level and consider the broader issues in the provision of local content across different media platforms.

1.10 The Government's Digital Britain Final Report, published in June 2009 also highlighted the importance of news and local journalism for democracy and considered a range of issues relating to the future of local media. One of the key recommendations of the report was a consultation on Sustainable independent and impartial news; in the Nations, locally and in the regions . Ofcom's response to this consultation is published alongside this report.

1.11 In summary, this report brings together Ofcom's research and analysis which is relevant to the various duties in relation to the provision of local and regional content across the UK. It reviews a range of opportunities and initiatives for sustaining a healthy and vibrant local media sector in the future. The report also provides an evidence base behind our response to the DCMS consultation.

1.12 In undertaking work on this report, we have recognised the critical role that local newspaper journalism plays in delivering public purposes. Local newspaper journalism not only underpins the delivery of local news on other media, but also makes a key contribution to the national news agenda. However it is important to stress that Ofcom does not regulate the content of newspapers, a role which is fulfilled by the Press Complaints Commission.

1.13 While consumer definitions of local are blurred, this report primarily covers media on a regional (county or broader geographic area), local (town or local district) and ultra-local (immediate community or neighbourhood) basis. We also cover some of the broader media issues in the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.