MEDIASCAN 19/7 gw
SPACE--Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz
Aldrin landing on the Moon on July 20th, 1969. Now, 25 years later, the
American space shuttle Columbia is in orbit on a two week mission due
to end Friday. As in most shuttle missions, there's an amateur radio
station onboard, and you can look for it on 145.55 MHz FM in the
amateur 2 meter band.
The Columbia astronauts have been unable to observe the crash of the
comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 into the planet Jupiter, but you can in fact try
to monitor the event on a shortwave radio.
JUPITER/COMET SHOEMAKER-LEVY--It was discovered back in 1955 that
Jupiter emits powerful signals on shortwave, as astronomer Hans Rickman
of the Uppsala Observatory tells Radio Sweden in today's program.
The June issue of the American magazine "Monitoring Times" has a
lengthy article on listening to Jupiter on shortwave, especially during
the current crash of comet fragments into the planet. Jupiter emits
signals between 18 and 28 MHz, and reception is best between midnight
and 6 AM local time, when the maximum useable frequency for shortwave
propagation has dropped below 18 MHz, so terrestrial signals won't get
in the way.
"Monitoring Times" recommends finding a quiet frequency, taping on a
stereo cassette deck, with time signals from a station like WWV on one
track. The usual noise from Jupiter is supposed to sound like the surf
on a beach. It remains to be seen what the comet crashes will sound
like.
NORDIC MEDIA NEWS:
SWEDISH PRIVATE RADIO--There have been some changes in the local radio
scene in Stockholm. We reported last month that the station
Storstadsradion on 107.5 MHz had gone bankrupt, and was bought up by
Britain's Classic FM. So far there's still just bird song on the
frequency.
Storstadsradio was reportedly relayed on the TV 5 Nordic (Femman)
transponder (12.475 GHz) on the Tele-X satellite, on the unusual
subcarriers of 8.45 and 8.65 MHz. The test transmissions of bird song
and announcements from Classic FM were carried for at least a few days.
("Paa TV" and Ray Woodward, England) But they've since disappeared.
At the time, it seemed like Classic FM would get on the air before
another planned classical radio station from the Kinnevik media empire.
But a couple of weeks ago, Classic Radio appeared on 106.3, with a tape
loop of classical hits. And there's also a Classical Radio outlet in
Gothenburg.
Another station seems to be in economic difficulties. The Stockholm
affiliate of Radio Rix, the largest of the country's new private radio
networks, is only attracting between 1 and 3 percent of listeners. In
an effort to save itself, the station has changed format from the
youth-oriented pop or adult contemporary played by virtually all the
other private stations, in favor of a golden oldies format. (TT)
The American-backed company Scandinavian Broadcasting System, which
owns TV 5 Nordic and Norway's TV Norge, has bought 65 percent of
another Stockholm private radio station, Radio City. ("Dagens Nyheter")
Meanwhile, Stockholm's final private radio allocation has come to life.
Ireland's Radio Hibernia is running music and recorded announcements on
106.7 MHz, and true to their promise, much of the music seems to be
Irish, running the gamut from U2 to Enya.
SIRIUS--New transponders have lit up on Sweden's Sirius satellite,
which shares 5 degrees East with Tele-X. While the previously tested
12.092 GHz is now off the air, there are test patterns from Kakns
Skyport on 11.785, 11.862, and 12.015 GHz. Kakns Skyport is the new
satellite uplink facility at the broadcast tower a short distance away
from our Radio Sweden studios.
The only actual programming on Sirius is from TV4, in parallel with
Tele-X. The Swedish Space Corporation seems to be having difficulties
finding programmers.
NORDIC SATELLITE CHANNEL--The long discussed joint Nordic satellite
channel was brought up at a meeting of Nordic prime ministers in
Finland 10 days ago. When Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt originally
proposed a news and public affairs station funded by the Nordic
governments, the other countries rejected the plan as too expensive.
The new proposal is for a pay channel with a number of uncoded windows
when news would be broadcast from the various Nordic countries. The
channel would pay for itself. Interest in the project has also been
shown from Swedish Telecom's cable TV subsidiary, and Finland's
Helsingin Sanomat concern. A final decision will be made at the
earliest this Fall. (TT)
EUROPEAN MEDIA NEWS:
DIGITAL MUSIC EXPRESS--DMX, which plans to offer dozens of themed
digital radio channels to Europe, has leased the former QEFM
subcarriers on the Sky Movies transponder on Astra, as well as the
spare subcarriers on the Discovery, Bravo, and Children's Channel
transponders. (James Robinson)
ASTRA RADIO--Radio Asia has disappeared from the Sky Movies Gold
transponder 26, audio 7.38 MHz. QCMR is now running an endless loop
saying that service on Sky Sports transponder 20 audio 7.38 MHz is off
the air. (James Robinson)
SKY PREVIEW/SKY SPORTS--Astra's transponder 47, long expected to be
used by British Sky Broadcasting for Sky Sports 2, has come to life, as
a preview channel, showing various Sky, Multi-Channels, and some
uncoded channels in 12 squares around the screen, with a promotional
video in the center.
The preview channel is in the clear, but every evening at 18:00 hrs
UTC, when Nickelodeon changes to TV Asia, a coded signal that's not
part of the Multi-Channels package, the entire screen is used for
promotional videos for Sky channels. (James Robinson)
Sky Sports 2 will launch on August 19th, initially as a free service to
Sky Sports subscribers. (James Robinson)
SKY NEWS--Rupert Murdoch has abandoned his plan to develop a global Sky
News network to rival CNN, opting instead for a partnership with the
American broadcaster CBS, which recently failed to merge with the
shopping network QVC. ("What Satellite TV")
BBC WS TV--Reuters is reported to be negotiating to join the recently
announced Pearson/BBC partnership, which is planning to launch two new
European channels at the end of this year. ("What Satellite TV")
VH-1--Viacom's much awaited VH-1 music channel will start on September
30th, following the awarding of a licence by the Independent Television
Commission. (James Robinson, "Skyguide", and "What Satellite TV")
Unfortunately, according to reports, VH-1 will use the current MTV
transponder 22 on Astra, rather that MTV's other transponder, number
15. Transponder 22 puts in a terrible signal to northern Europe.
VOX--The German Vox channel on Astra transponder 5 seems to have
received a new lease on life. According to one report, Luxembourg's CLT
is to take over 25 percent of Vox. ("Skyguide") Another story says
Germany's Burda publishing group is interested in taking a 25 percent
stake, while Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is reported to be
seeking to buy 49.9 percent of Vox. (Reuters) One reason Murdoch may be
interested is that if Vox goes off the air, NBC's Super Channel might
immediately switch to Astra, providing considerable competition for
British Sky Broadcasting.
REISSE TV--Reisse TV, a German travel channel, is understood to be
planning to launch on Sept. 1, using spare time in the middle of the
night and early morning hours on the UK Gold transponder, currently
occupied by home shopping infomercials. The channel's managing director
says they also have an option on an Astra 1D transponder. ("Skyguide")
ASTRA 1D--SES has turned down Sky's bid to lease all available
transponders on Astra 1D, as well as a revised bid for 8 transponders.
It seems likely Sky till be allowed to lease 3 transponders.
FilmNet is to offer a channel to Poland via Astra 1D, beginning on
October 1. It will be distributed by Multichoice Poland, a joint
vneture between FilmNet parent company in South Africa and Rupert
Murdoch's News International. The Multichoice line-up is currently
Filmnet, Discovery, The Children's Channel, Country Music Television
Europe, The Adult Channel and QVC. The package will be encrypted in
videocrypt 2. (Reuters and "Satnews")
POLAND--France's pay TV channel Canal Plus says it will start
broadcasting in Poland in December, using a combination of terrestrial
transmitters, cable, and a Eutelsat relay. (Reuters)
EUTELSAT--An International Shopping Channel has begun using TRT
International's transponder on 11.181 GHz on Eutelat II-F! after 01:00
hrs UTC. It's in English, dubbed over in German. (James Robinson)
Eutelsat II-F6, otherwise known as Hot Bird 1, is scheduled for launch
from French Guyana on November 10. ("Paa TV")
TELECOM--France's TF1 has launched its own 24 hours news channel,
called LCI or La Chaine Info. It's carried on Telecom IIB at 5 degrees
West, on 12.589 GHz. According to reports in the British press, LCI is
carried on the Paris cable TV system on a channel previously occupied
by BBC World Service Television. ("Paa TV" and BBC Monitoring)
HELP PLEASE--Last time we noted the feeds of the NBA finals on Intelsat
K. But can anyone tell me if there are any feeds of BASEBALL carried to
Europe?
CABLE PLUS--the Czech channel Cable Plus, best known for broadcasting
late night soft pornography in the clear, has been playing musical
satellites. It moved from 11.525 GHz on the Russian Ghorizont at 11
degrees West, to the Ghorizont at 40 degrees East, with a stop on
Eutelsat II-F4 on the way. ("Paa TV") But now Cable Plus is back where
it started at 11 degrees West.
GALS--Signals are reported from Russia's new high-powered GALS
satellite at 44 degrees East, on 12.170 and 11.770 GHz.
("Elektronikvaerlden") But so far I haven't seen able to find anything.
DOORSARSHAN--A new Asian broadcaster is available in Europe. A service
called GSTV has appeared on Eutelsat II-F3, on 11.163 GHz. This is
actually from India's state broadcaster Doordarshan, and is expected to
encrypt in September. Part of the programming is in English. ("What
Satellite TV")
ASIAN MEDIA NEWS:
INDIA--Doordarshan is planning to expand its international reach by
leasing transponders on at least one of three satellites to be launched
next year, Panamsat-4, Apstar-1, and Asiasat-2. All three may be
chosen, but most interest is in Panamsat, since it would also allow
global relays through the other Panamsats. (BBC Monitoring)
ASIANET--The Asianet service to India from a Russian Ekran satellite
has been suspended, following a dispute over the non-payment of
transponder rental fees. Asianet had sought to convince the Russian
space agency to reduce its fees by one third. Asianet had broadcast for
6 hours a day in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu using the L-band. (PTI
news agency via BBC Monitoring)
ARIANE--Panamsat-2 was successfully launched into orbit above the
Pacific on July 8th. This satellite is to placed over the Pacific.
Also on the Ariane rocket was Japan's BS-3N, which will provide three
channels of DBS programming to Japan. It will serve as a back-up to BS-
3A and BS-3B.
The next Ariane launch is scheduled for July 30, with Turksat 1B and
Brasilsat onboard. (Reuters, AP, and Kyodo News Service via BBC
Monitoring)
APSTAR--The Apstar 1 satellite is due to be launched from a Chinese
Long March rocket on July 21. Turner Broadcasting and Hong Kong's TVB
are among those leasing some of the 24 transponders. Apstar is to be
placed at 131 degrees East, which concerns the owners of Rimsat 1 at
130 degrees, and a Japanese satellite at 132 degrees. (Reuters)
STAR-TV--The chief executive of Star-TV, Gary Davey, says that
following the aquisition of leasing rights to transponders on the
upcoming Asiasat-2 satellite, Star plans to launch 40 multi-lingual
channels over the next 3 years, and another 60 in the long term.
Star currently broadcasts in English and Mandarin, and owns 49 percent
of Zee TV, which is in Hindi. Hindi, Arabic, and Cantonese are among
the languages planned for new services. (Star became quite upset
earlier this year when BBC World Service Television announced its plans
for an Arabic service.)
Apart from new channels and languages, Star is also considering pay
television services in India and the Middle East by September, and more
Asian-produced programs in the ling run. (AFP via BBC Monitoring)
NBC--The American NBC network is to begin delivering buisness and news
programs via satellite to Asia beginning August 1st. Eight and one half
hours a day is to be broadcast using the TV Australia transponder on
Indonesia's Palapa B2P satellite. NBC plans to expand to 24 hour a day
service early next year when a new satellite is launched on which it
has leased two transponders. (This could be either Apstar-2 or Asiasat-
2.) (AP)
JAPAN--The Japanese parliament has approved legislation that would
allow the public broadcaster NHK to introduce external television
broadcasts. NHK hopes to broadcast news, sports, and children's
programs for 3 to 4 hours a day for the United States and Europe
starting in April, 1995. NHK also hopes to expand the service gradually
to Asian nations. (Radio Japan via BBC Monitoring)
The video games company Nintendo and its subsidiary Satellite Digital
Audio Broadcasing are to start a digital data multiplex broadcasting
service early next year, subject to official approval. If a licence is
granted, the service would begin in February, providing games and other
image and sound data in digital form. Subscribers would need a St Giga
tuner, an Nintendo Superfamily computer, a data adapter, and a
satellite broadacasting cassette. (Kyodo News Service via BBC
Monitoring)
Sega Enterprises is planning to launch a distribution network for video
games on cable television networks in Japan. Initially a service will
launch in Tokyo next month through Sega Digital Communications. Sega
also said that its US affiliate Sega Channel would start test marketing
a similar service in 12 states by the end of June -- Sega Channel is a
joint venture between Sega US, Time Warner Entertainment and
Tele-Communications Inc. ("Satnews")
NORTH AMERICAN MEDIA NEWS:
GALAXY--Galaxy VI, Hughes Communications' most-travelled spacecraft,
has begun service from the 74 degrees west longitude orbital position
after completing a 28-day, 11,287-mile voyage from its former orbital
slot at 103 degrees west; replacing Galaxy II which has been
deactivated and retired. ("Satnews")
CYBERSPACE--NBC Corp's yet-to-be-launched America's Talking talk-cable
channel and Prodigy Service Co -- an IBM Corp/Sears, Roebuck and Co
joint venture -- have aligned to develop what is claimed to be the
first fully interactive television network. The service will feature
live talk shows whereby Prodigy users can talk electronically to hosts
and guests on the channel. ("Satnews")
PUBLICATIONS:
WIRED--The August, 1994 issue of the American magazine "Wired" contains
a very interesting article about satellite TV piracy in North America.
Subscription details from subscriptions@wired.com
There are several articles about scrambling and satellite piracy in the
July issue of "What Satellite TV".
WHOLE EARTH REVIEW--The Summer 1994 issue of "Whole Earth Review"
carries a very interesting article on how cyberspace will benefit
newspapers. Subscriptions details from wer@well.com
FAX--TELE-satellit, the German satellite magazine, has added a second
number to its Fax-On-Demand computer systems. The new number is located
in Munich and offers two newsletters, one in German, the other one in
English. Both deal with what's happening on satellite and both are
free.
The German news service is updated daily and consists of 4 pages,
currently covering the German, French and international satellite
scene. The English news service is updated weekly and focuses on the
European satellite scene. Both services can be accessed by dialing
either The Netherlands or Germany: Dial +31-45-273615*9 or
+49-89-496287*9 for the English newsletter or instead of the 9 dial 8
for the German version.
The number after the asteriks has to be dialed using tone mode (not
pulse). Wait about 3 seconds for the computer to start the fax sending
modus, then push start button of your fax machine to retrieve the
newsletter. ("Tele-satellit")
WEFAX--The "Info in Orbit" column of the July "Shortwave Magazine"
lists the current geostationary weather satellites, all on 1691 GHz.
These are:
METEOSAT-5 (MPO-2) at 0 degrees
METEOSAT-4 (MPO-1) back-up at 8 degrees West
METEOSAT-6 (MPO-3) undergoing tests at 10 degrees West
METEOSAT-3 on loan to the US at 74 degrees West
GOES-8 testing at 90 degrees West
GOES-6 is at 105 degrees West
GOES-7 is the "Eastern" US satellite at 112 degrees West
GOES-2 is the "Western" US satellite at 134 degrees West
BBC--On July 6, British National Heritage Secretary Peter Brooke
published a White Paper on the future of the BBC. Here's the press
release on the White Paper:
The BBC should continue to be the United Kingdom's main public
service broadcaster and its primary role should be making and
broadcasting programmes for audiences throughout the country, National
Heritage Secretary Peter Brooke said today.
And it is well placed to evolve into an international multi-media
organisation, building on its present commercial activities in this
country and overseas.
The Government's White Paper 'The Future of the BBC: Serving the
nation; Competing world-wide', published today, sets out the
Government's plans for the structure and operation of the BBC under a
new Royal Charter and Agreement, to operate for ten years from 1
January 1997.
The White Paper proposes that there should be no reduction in the
present number of BBC radio and television services; its United Kingdom
services should be financed from the licence fee for at least five
years after 1996; and there should be further development of the BBC's
commercial activities.
The other main proposals of the White Paper are that:
- the BBC should publish clear objectives for each of its stations
and channels, and should not change the character of a service without
consulting its audiences;
- the BBC should expand its commercial activities in the UK and
abroad, developing into an international multi-media enterprise, while
ensuring that its commercial activities are operated separately from
its public services, and not cross-subsidised from the licence fee;
- World Service Radio should continue, financed by the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office's Grant-in-Aid;
- the Government and the BBC will explore options, including
privatisation, for injecting private finance into the BBC's
transmission services, taking into account the BBC's proposals for
introducing digital broadcasting services;
- the BBC's Governors should keep in touch with audiences and ensure
that BBC services meet their needs;
- the BBC should publish a statement of promises to its audiences in
line with the Citizen's Charter;
- the Broadcasting Standards Council and the Broadcasting Complaints
Commission should be merged.
THE FUTURE ROLE OF THE BBC
Against the background of rapid technological change in the world
of broadcasting the White Paper makes the following proposals for the
future role of the BBC.
The BBC's role in the United Kingdom
The BBC should:
- continue to be the main public service broadcaster in the United
Kingdom, and that this should remain its primary role;
- continue to make programmes, as well as to broadcast them;
- be able to contribute to the growth of cable and satellite
services;
- compete fairly and be seen to do so - its commercial activities
should operate at arm's length from its public service.
The BBC's role world-wide
The White Paper proposes that:
- there is a continuing need and place for World Service Radio,
broadcasting in English and a wide range of other languages, which
should continue to be financed by Grant-in-Aid from the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office;
- the BBC should further develop its international commercial
television services;
- the BBC's overseas services should give a balanced British view of
national and international developments. Its editorial independence
should be unquestionable;
- for the BBC to compete effectively and fairly in overseas markets,
while maintaining its public services as its primary function, it will
need new patterns of finance and accountability.
THE BBC'S PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES
The White Paper states that replies to the Government's
consultation document indicated that audiences do not want major
changes in the BBC's programmes and services.
The Government agrees that the BBC should continue to broadcast a
wide range of television and radio programmes, which will appeal to all
tastes and interests and to people of different ages and backgrounds,
and living in all parts of the country. The White Paper does not
propose a reduction in the number of BBC television and radio services
in the United Kingdom financed by the licence fee.
Programme content
The White Paper endorses the BBC's view that it should seek to
expand the range of experience and enjoyment of viewers and listeners
in its choice of programme subjects - it should continue to make
innovative programmes and to combine factual and specialist programmes
in its schedules.
Programme standards
The Government proposes that the BBC should pay more attention in
the future to the views of audiences. In making editorial decisions,
particularly on matters of taste and decency, the BBC should take into
account the likely reactions and views of audiences.
Making programmes
The White Paper proposes that the BBC should continue to nurture
creative and performing talent and production skill, throughout the
United Kingdom. The BBC should also maintain its role as an active
cultural patron for music, drama and entertainment of all kinds,
throughout the United Kingdom.
To ensure variety in programme production, the White Paper
recommends that the BBC should keep significant production bases in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in the main English cities.
The BBC should also make and commission a reasonable proportion and
range of its national output, as well as programmes for local
audiences, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in the English
regions.
Objectives for programmes and services
The White Paper proposes that there should be clear objectives for
BBC programmes and individual services financed from public funds.
This is in line with the Government's policies for improved
accountability in public services, enshrined in the principles of the
Citizen's Charter. A short version of the objectives should be
available to viewers and listeners, so that people who use the services
know what the standards are.
Television services in the United Kingdom
The BBC should continue to broadcast two television services,
available throughout the United Kingdom, and financed from the licence
fee.
The White Paper states there is greater scope for the BBC to
provide programmes or programme material to satellite and cable
services, providing a useful source of income for the BBC in the
future.
Radio services in the United Kingdom
The Government does not propose to reduce the scope of the BBC's
national radio services. Similarly, the Government does not propose to
change the number of radio services which the BBC provides in Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland, nor its local radio services in England.
BBC services overseas
Public responses to the Government's consultation document gave
overwhelming support for the BBC's World Service Radio. The accuracy
of its reporting and the range and quality of its programmes are widely
appreciated by its audiences of over 130 million people. Changes in
technology, listening habits and other factors will need to be
considered in the years ahead.
The White Paper welcomes and encourages the development of the
BBC's international television services.
BBC COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES AND TRANSMISSION
The Government's views:
- the Government welcomes the initiatives which the BBC has taken to
develop its international commercial activities, in partnership with
private sector companies, and believes that they should continue to
expand;
- that these activities must be clearly separated from its services
in the United Kingdom funded from the licence fee, and from World
Service Radio;
- the BBC's long-term objectives and values as a public service
broadcaster should under-pin all its other activities;
- the BBC's commercial activities should aim increasingly at
international markets;
- the Government will repeal the provisions in the Broadcasting Act
1990 which prevent the Independent Television Commission and the Radio
Authority from licensing broadcasting services which are owned or
partly owned by the BBC;
- the Board of Governors should have a strategic role in the BBC's
commercial activities to ensure that its aims are consistent with the
objectives of the BBC;
- the Board of Governors should include people with international
business experience and commercial awareness, to enable it to exercise
effectively a strategic oversight of the whole range of the BBC's
operations.
BBC transmission services
The Government wishes as far as possible to combine the early
introduction of digital broadcasting services by the BBC with the
benefits of privatisation of the transmission network.
The White Paper states:
- the Government is exploring with the BBC possible options for the
future of its transmission services. Privatisation is among the
options begin considered;
- the Government intends to legislate to give the Independent
Television Commission and the Radio Authority new powers to licence and
regulate digital broadcasting services.
FINANCING THE BBC
Replies to the Government's consultation document showed that the
licence fee has wider public support than any other method of paying
for the BBC, although there were some doubts about its future in the
long-term. The Government believes that the BBC's main television and
radio services in the UK should continue to be funded primarily from
the licence fee, for at least five years after 1996.
Long term finance
The White Paper says that if the BBC's services are to remain
widely accessible, there is no practical alternative to the licence fee
before the end of the century, and possibly for some years after. The
best way forward will be to continue the licence fee until the end of
2001, five years after the expiry of the BBC's present Charter, and to
review the arrangements before then in the light of technological and
other developments. However, the BBC should be encouraged to develop
specialist subscription services, in addition to providing a wide range
of programmes and services for the general public, financed from the
licence fee.
Efficiency and value for money
The White Paper proposes that arrangements for financing BBC
programmes and services in future should take full account of the need
for efficiency and value for money. The BBC is expected to continue to
make further improvements to its cost effectiveness in future and to
reduce its borrowings by 1996.
The Government proposes:
- to review the operation of the RPI-X price cap formula on the
annual increase of the licence fee, to confirm that this remains the
most appropriate way of controlling increases;
- to review the BBC's capital structure and borrowing arrangements,
and consider the options for increased flexibility;
- in future, the BBC's Annual Report and Accounts should provide
more information about how far the BBC has met its objectives,
including details about the implementation of efficiency and other
initiatives from one year to the next.
MAKING THE BBC ACCOUNTABLE
The BBC should be more approachable and responsive to its
audiences, have clearly stated objectives, and publish results showing
how far it meets those objectives.
The Government proposes that:
- future arrangements for making the BBC more accountable should
incorporate the main themes of the Government's Citizen's Charter
policies, including improving quality and choice, setting and achieving
standards, securing value for money and being accessible to the public;
- the BBC should continue to be established by Royal Charter and not
by an Act of Parliament.
The role of the Governors
The Governors are the trustees of the national, or public,
interest in broadcasting by the BBC. The Governors' role is to look
after the public's interest in the BBC, not to manage it. The
Government believes that the Governor's responsibilities should be more
clearly defined and set out in the new Royal Charter.
The Government proposes that the Governors should:
- approve objectives for the BBC's services and programmes and its
promises to its audiences. They should assess how far these objectives
have been met by the BBC's managers;
- satisfy themselves that the BBC's expenditure gives value for
money and that there are arrangements to ensure probity and propriety
in the use of the licence fee and Grant-in-Aid.
Role of the National Governors and National Councils
The National Governors chair the National Broadcasting Councils
for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They advise the BBC on
matters relating to broadcasting services, which affect the interests
of the people in their countries. The White Paper states that there
was general support for the continuance of the National Councils and
proposes that they should:
- be responsible for setting objectives for programmes and services
specifically for audiences in the three countries;
- make an input into setting the annual objectives for the BBC
management as a whole, and monitor whether these objectives are met in
the services in their country.
Governing instruments
The White Paper states that there should be three main documents
governing the BBC's activities after 1996.
The Royal Charter
The new Royal Charter would be granted for a period of ten years and
would:
- continue the BBC's existence as a public corporation;
- establish the BBC's powers and responsibilities;
- provide for the appointment of the Board of Governors, the conduct
of the Board's business, and establishment of the National Broadcasting
Councils;
- include a clearer statement of the functions of the Board of
Governors and the National Broadcasting Councils.
The Agreement
The new Agreement would be the BBC's authority to provide
broadcasting services for 10 years after 1 January 1997. It would take
the form of a covenant between the Secretary of State for National
Heritage, on behalf of the Government, and the Corporation.
The new Agreement would:
- specify the number of television and radio services in the United
Kingdom which are to be financed from the licence fee;
- contain a statement of the BBC's independence in matters of
programme content, scheduling and management of its affairs;
- set out the BBC's undertakings on programme standards, including
the obligation to provide programmes of high standards, to treat
controversial issues with due impartiality, and to avoid offending good
taste or decency;
- provide for the financial arrangements to be reviewed before the
end of 2001.
BBC promises to its audiences
The BBC should make clear the standards to which it will aspire in
a new statement of promises to its audiences, including its objectives
for its services and programmes, which should be readily available to
licence fee payers.
The BBC receives over #1.5 billion a year in revenue from the
licence fee, and it should account for its use of this money both to
Parliament and to the people who pay their licence fee. The BBC should
publish each year an account of its activities for its audiences.
Those who pay the licence fee will then be able to judge whether they
are receiving value for money.
FUTURE OF THE BROADCASTING COMPLAINTS COMMISSION AND THE BROADCASTING
STANDARDS COUNCIL
The White Paper proposes that the Broadcasting Standards Council
and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission will be brought together.
The main functions of the new Council will be to maintain standards in
broadcasting, by monitoring output and establishing guidance on
standards for broadcasters operating in the United Kingdom. It would
have similar powers and sanctions to the present Commission and
Council. This merger should reduce the potential for duplications and
unnecessary administrative costs.
Comments on the Government's proposals on the future of the BBC
should be sent to: Broadcasting Policy Division, Room 411, Department
of National Heritage, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH by 31
October 1994.
HOBBY NEWS:
GERMANY--Deutschlandradio decided to cancel the two German DX-programs
"DX-aktuell" and "DX-report" in September. They say, they can't
broadcast such a minority program on FM, and the long wave 177 kHz and
shortwave 6005 kHz will be closed in the near future.
Listeners should send their letters of protest to:
Gerda Holunder
c/o Deutschlandradio Berlin
Hans-Rosenthal-Platz 1
D-10825 Berlin
Germany
or to
The Director of Deutschlandfunk
Mr. Elitz
50968 Cologne
(Andreas Volk)