Spring 2008 Bulletin 92
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Voice of the Listener & Viewer Working for Quality and DiversityBulletin in Broadcasting Spring 2008 Issue 92 Secretary of State for The Future of Public Service Broadcasting – Culture, Media and Sport the last debate? VLV Evening Seminar, to speak at VLV Evening Seminar Tuesday, 3 June In association with the LSE Tuesday, 24 June - The Palace of Westminster media think-tank, Polis SPEAKERS: The Rt Hon Andy Burnham has accepted an invitation from VLV to speak and take questions Stewart Purvis Senior Partner, Content and Standards, Ofcom from members and guests at a VLV seminar in Patrick Barwise the Grand Committee Room in the House of Emeritus Professor, Management & Marketing, Commons on Tuesday, 24 June, starting at 6pm. London Business School Mr Burnham, who was elected to Parliament in Chairman: Professor Ivor Gaber June 2001 as the MP for Leigh, served as VLV Board member Chief Secretary to the Treasury before his The consultation phase of Ofcom’s Review of present appointment in January. Prior to that he Public Service Broadcasting closes on 19 June. was at the Department of Health and the Home This review looks at the future funding of the Office. In 1998, before being elected to BBC and asks whether the licence fee should be Parliament, Mr Burnham was Special Adviser shared with Channel 4 and other commercial to Chris (now Lord) Smith, when he was broadcasters. Its outcome has implications for the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whole ecology of British broadcasting and will and later worked as a researcher for Lord shape VLV’s work and campaigning for at least Smith’s successor Tessa Jowell MP. the next twelve months. Mr Burnham gained an MA in English at To raise public awareness and debate,and to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He is 38, married provide a last chance for VLV members and guests with three young children and a keen supporter to learn about Ofcom’s proposals at first hand, VLV has arranged for Stewart Purvis , who is leading the of Leigh Centurions Rugby League Club and consultation for Ofcom, and the economist Professor Everton Football Club. Patrick Barwise to speak and take questions at an The seminar takes place a few days after evening seminar in London on Tuesday, 24 June. Ofcom’s consultation on its review of public The seminar is being held in association with the service broadcasting closes but at a time when London School of Economics media think-tank, the future of the BBC, Channel 4 and the other Polis, at the LSE, Kingsway, London WC2 from Entry to the seminar is free terrestrial channels is high on the public agenda. 6.30 – 8.30pm followed by a reception. but tickets must be obtained in advance In addition to broadcasting, his department is from [email protected], responsible for the arts and sport, including via the VLV website www.vlv.org.uk or the 2012 Olympics. it is also responsible with by contacting the VLV office: the Department for Business, Enterprise and 01474 352835 Regulatory Reform, for delivering digital switch-over across the UK by 2012. Inside Patrick Barwise Stewart Purvis New Executive Director BBC Trust Letters There is no charge for entry but tickets must be obtained in advance from Student Essay Competition New Freesat Service Book Reviews [email protected] VLV 2007 Awards Presentation Editorial Comment Competition or by contacting the VLV office. Ofcom Consultations VLV’s Spring Conference Diary Dates See item on page 4 for more about the consultation and how to respond. ISSN 1475-2948 New Executive Director Anne Diack VLV are pleased to announce that Anne Diack is joining them as Executive Director on a part-time, short-term contract. For many Voice of the Listener & Viewer years a producer with the BBC’s Open Working for Quality and Diversity in British Broadcasting University Production Centre, Anne has also VLV Patrons been a teacher, teacher trainer, researcher Lord Barnet PC JP and education adviser. She has worked at the Archbishop Lord Eames of Armagh Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) TV Sir Francis Graham-Smith FRS Centre, on the BBC's Blue Peter production Lord Inglewood MEP team, in BBC Education Policy, and, more Sir Charles Mackerras, KT, CBE recently, she helped to set up Teachers TV. Dame Mary Peters DBE The post of Executive Director is supported Lord Phillips of Sudbury OBE by the Esmée Fairburn Foundation. Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE Lady Solti Lord Thomson of Monifieth KT PC Sir John Tusa Students Quiz Chairman of VLV Student Essay Directors Jocelyn Hay CBE (Hon Chairman) Broadcasting Commission Competition 2008 Hugh Peltor CBE (Hon Treas.) Last call for entries which must Robert Clark at VLV Scottish Conference Professor Ivor Gaber be submitted by 30 May. Norman Green Blair Jenkins, who chairs the Scottish Broadcasting Jon Snow and Professor Brian Groombridge Roger Graef lead the Professor Sonia Livingstone Commission, spoke to members and guests at VLV’s judging panel. Professor Máire Messenger Davies, PhD, FRSA, 17th annual Scottish conference in Edinburgh on 1 Broadcasting is Laurence Pawley May. The Commission was set up by First Minister, changing more rapidly Lewis Rudd MBE Alex Salmonds, to investigating the economic, than ever before. The Warren Newman cultural and democratic contribution that broadcasting makes to Scottish life and will conclude switch to digital is well Company Secretary its work by the end of the summer. Professor Neil under way and an Waterlow Registrars Ltd Blain of Stirling University elaborated on the theme, explosion of new services is threatening contributing some valuable insights to the session. not only the commercially funded The Voice of the Listener Trust terrestrial broadcasters but also the BBC. (reg charity 296207) The event provided a rare opportunity for students and young people to make their views known in At the same time, new forms of delivery VLV’s sister charity enable more and more people to presentations and questions. Students from Napier and which supports VLV’s educational work generate their own content, podcasts, Stirling Universities spoke of their wish for more Acting Chairman: Professor Sylvia Harvey webcasts, vlogs and blogs. How is this programmes to be made by young people so that their Hon Secretary: Jocelyn Hay CBE affecting listeners, viewers and new need to understand and become engaged in politics Trustees: media users in their roles as citizens and could be met by broadcasting which provided a truly Michael Barton consumers? Is there any longer any John Clark public service. They condemned the patronising view difference in these roles? Lady Solti that many have of young people saying that they were VLV invites entries for its 2008 Student Dr Andrew Taussig interested in much more than celebrity culture. Essay Competition from students studying VLV office hours: Emma McGaughin of the Hansard Society, Scotland, for a UK registered undergraduate or confirmed this view and explained how the Society 9.30am - 5.00pm Mon-Thurs postgraduate degree or similar engaged successfully with young people, schools and qualification on the following subject: colleges. Professor Bernard Crick, rapporteur, provided Voice of the Listener & Viewer Ltd (VLV) Do citizens and consumers need some trenchant thoughts on ‘dumbing-down’ and the represents the citizen and consumer different things from their communications interests in broadcasting and works for need for broadcasters and audiences to be aware of environment, or is this a meaningless quality and diversity in British broadcasting. values beyond the market and money. distinction? VLV is free from political, sectarian and We are most grateful to Professor Blain and Dr Winning entrants at undergraduate commercial affiliations. VLV is concerned Mathew Hibberd for organising the day, and to Stirling and postgraduate levels will each receive with the issues, structures, institutions and Napier Universities and the Scottish a cash prize of £500 donated by Channel and regulation that underpin the British Broadcasting Commission for their support. 4. The two winners and the two runners- broadcasting system and in particular up will also be offered two weeks’ work to maintain the principles of public David Law and experience with a leading television or service in broadcasting. Gemma Scott, radio production company. VLV does not handle complaints. speakers Entries may be submitted as an essay from Napier of up to 2,000 words or as a video or Design & Production radio feature of no more than 10 minutes High Profile Ltd, Tel: 01474 533077 length, by 30 May 2008. Published by Voice of the Listener & Viewer Ltd, Full details and an entry form, which A private company limited by guarantee must be completed, are available at (Registered in England number 4407712) www.vlv.org.uk or in writing, enclosing an Registered address: 101 Kings' Drive, Gravesend, Kent DA12 5BQ. sae, from VLV, 101 King’s Drive, Tel: 01474 352835 Fax: 01474 351112. Gravesend, Kent, DA12 5BQ. There is no E-mail: [email protected] entry fee. Website: www.vlv.org.uk 2 Bulletin Spring 08 Working for Quality and Diversity in Broadcasting Letters to the Editor Book Reviews Letters do not necessarily represent the views of the Association and may be shortened for publication. The Dream That Died BBC NEWS VLV CAMPAIGN FUND The Rise and Fall of ITV I am relieved that VLV is devoting its spring I am including a donation with my subscription which By Raymond Fitzwalter conference to this subject. I have written to Sir represents part of my TV licence fee rebate – due to age Published by Troubador Michael Lyons, Chairman of the BBC Trust about the I no longer pay for this, sad to say! Please put it Publishing Ltd.