Advanced Television

Lords: Ofcom should handle BBC complaints

June 29, 2011

UK media regulator Ofcom, rather than the BBC, should have the final say over complaints about impartiality and accuracy in the corporation’s programmes, according to a House of Lords committee report. The communications committee’s inquiry into BBC governance and regulation also said “the convoluted and overly complicated complaints process at the BBC” must be improved.

After hearing evidence from a range of witnesses, the committee came to the conclusion it wants the BBC Trust and Ofcom to “work together to resolve the regulation of impartiality and accuracy so that the BBC is no longer its own judge and jury in these matters”.

However, the recommendation is likely to raise concerns within BBC management and the trust about the corporation’s editorial independence.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Policy, Regulation