Lords embark on major new inquiry into media plurality
11 June 2013
The House of Lords Communications Committee is taking up the challenge of examining media plurality in its new inquiry, and will begin its first evidence session by questioning academics and specialists on Tuesday 11 June.
Witnesses
On Tuesday 11 June, Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster
At 3.30 pm
- Dr Rachael Craufurd Smith, University of Edinburgh
- Dr Damian Tambini, London School of Economics
At 4.30 pm
- Professor Robert Picard, Reuters Institute, University of Oxford
- Robin Foster, Communications Chambers
Media plurality is a highly politically-charged area of policy and has recently been in the spotlight through concerns raised about the proposed (and subsequently dropped) acquisition of BSkyB by News Corporation.
During the last year, both Ofcom and Lord Justice Leveson have made a number of proposals regarding reform to media plurality policy and legislation; but both ultimately left it to Parliament to give guidance on controversial areas where political consensus and judgement are required.
The Committee will quiz the witnesses on issues including:
- first principles: why media plurality matters and whether it incorporates not just political coverage but also geographical, gender and generational representation;
- scene setting: whether media plurality is under threat and what its prospects might be; and
- substantive reforms: what should be included in a review of plurality, what should that measure, what interventions are appropriate and who should execute them.