NUJ tells Ofcom to respect public interest
THE UNION has called on UK communications regulator Ofcom to use the digital airwaves to maintain and strengthen public sector broadcasting.
In a submission on the future of digital terrestrial television, the NUJ expressed concern about proposals to leave the allocation of digital broadcasting spectrum to market forces. There are worries that with a market-based approach, public service commitments could be lost.
The NUJ argues that broadcasters should be allocated part of the digital spectrum for HDTV services in return for public service commitments.
This would enable those such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to continue to provide high quality programming that serves the public interest.
Paul McLaughlin, NUJ National Broadcasting Organiser, said: “The airwaves are a national resource that should be used for public good, not private profit. We must never allow public service broadcasting to become ghettoised. Ofcom must put public interest ahead of market philosophy.”