Lords Communications Committee to question Ofcom Chair and Chief Executive on its role in changing media landscape
Monday 10 July 2023
The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee will tomorrow take evidence from Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes and Chair Lord Michael Grade in a one-off scrutiny session.
The Committee will quiz the witnesses on a range of issues including:
- The change of Ofcom’s sponsoring department to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and how this affects the regulator’s relationship with Government.
- The likely impact of the Draft Media Bill and its focus on creating a more flexible and outcomes-based broadcasting regulatory framework.
- How Ofcom will respond to the proposed new responsibilities in the Draft Bill to regulate audio and smart speakers.
- The status of its review into how well the BBC serves audiences on lower incomes.
- How Ofcom’s accountability to Parliament can be enhanced to reflect the new powers envisaged for it in the Online Safety Bill.
- The status of Ofcom’s work on Online News Intermediaries.
- What more Ofcom can do to ensure mid contract price rises for mobile and broadband contracts are fair.
The evidence session will start at 2.30pm on Tuesday 11 July in Committee Room 4 of the House of Lords. The session can be watched live at www.parliamentlive.tv
