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Voice of the Listener & Viewer Working for Quality and DiversityBulletin in Broadcasting Summer 2008 Issue 93 Citizenship and Broadcasting VLV Chairman to - Putting the Public into Step Down VLV Chairman and Founder, Jocelyn Hay, Public Service Broadcasting stated at last year’s November AGM that she Thursday, 2 October - Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London WC1 wished to step down from the leadership during the coming year. After Ofcom’s principal duty as set out in steering the organisation Philip Graf the 2003 Communications Act, is to through its first 25 years, she felt it time to further the interests of citizens in relation pass the baton to new hands. The members of to communication matters; and to further the VLV Board have suggested that on her the interests of consumers in relevant markets, retirement Mrs Hay should be invited to where appropriate by promoting competition. become Honorary President, a proposal which The purpose of Ofcom’s first consultation is she has accepted with great pleasure. Mrs Hay to discuss and clarify its role in regard to will also be continuing her close association its duty to citizens, a point many have felt with the Voice of the Listener Trust. Ofcom has subordinated to its duty to further the interests of consumers by promoting competition. Jon Snow to launch VLV’s Silver Jubilee Appeal on 2 October 2008 Jon Snow the The principles of public service Channel 4 newscaster broadcasting have never been and broadcaster, will precisely defined in the UK but launch VLV’s 25th most would accept that serving Anniversary Appeal. the interests of citizens is one of In November VLV will the most important. celebrate twenty five years of successful lobbying and advocacy and we are launching a major appeal on 2 October VLV will hold an afternoon conference In VLV’s opinion these two consultations in order to help set the organisation on at Woburn House, Tavistock Square, are therefore inseparably linked. a firmer footing to meet the challenges London WC1 on 2 October to discuss the Philip Graf, Deputy Chair of Ofcom and and changes ahead. Jocelyn Hay, chair implications of two Ofcom consultations. Chairman of its Content Board will explain of VLV, said ‘I am delighted that Jon The first consultation is its discussion paper Ofcom’s thinking on them and on how Ofcom Snow had kindly agreed to launch the on Citizens, Communications and intends to proceed with the 2nd phase of its Appeal and present the VLV Student Convergence, published on 11 July (deadline Review of Public Service Television. We have Essay prizes on 2 October’. 8 October), the second is Phase 2 of its also invited a BBC Trustee to speak on the role Review of Public Service Broadcasting of the corporation’s public purpose remit in (Television) to be published on 25 September. sustaining citizenship and civil society. VLV’s 2008 Student Essay Competition ‘Do citizens and consumers have Inside different needs from their communications environment, EGM Called - 2nd October Consultations and Responses Freeview or is this a meaningless distinction?’ Children’s Conference Guest Contributor Letters was the theme of the competition. Channel 4 has kindly donated £1000 in Autumn Conference Ofcom Review Competition prize money. Jon Snow will present the From the Chairman Book Reviews Diary Dates winners with their prizes on 2 Ocober. ISSN 1475-2948 Extraordinary General Meeting Called for 2 October 2008 Voice of the Listener & Viewer In order to elect a successor to Jocelyn Hay as Chairman of VLV Ltd, and pave the way for Working for Quality and Diversity in British Broadcasting her to become Honorary President, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company will be VLV Patrons held on Thursday, 2nd October at 11.00am, at Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London Lord Barnet PC JP WC1. All members are invited to attend and vote. Archbishop Lord Eames of Armagh Sir Francis Graham-Smith FRS Nominations for the post of Chairman of VLV Ltd are invited. They should be sent to the Lord Inglewood MEP Company Secretary at 101 Kings Drive, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 5BQ, no more than 21 days or less Sir Charles Mackerras, KT, CBE than 3 days before the meeting. Nominations must be in writing, signed by a member qualified to Dame Mary Peters DBE attend and vote at the meeting and indicating his or her intention to propose a person for election, Lord Phillips of Sudbury OBE accompanied by a notice in writing signed by another member qualified to attend and vote at the Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE Lady Solti meeting, of his or her intention to second the nomination. In addition, there should be included a Lord Thomson of Monifieth KT PC notice in writing signed by the nominee of his or her willingness to be elected. That person must Sir John Tusa also be a member of VLV Ltd., and the notice shall give particulars of that person who would, if Directors he/she were so elected, be required to be included in the register of Board members. Jocelyn Hay CBE (Hon Chairman) Hugh Peltor CBE (Hon Treas.) Robert Clark Professor Ivor Gaber Norman Green Professor Brian Groombridge 20 Years Loyal Service Professor Sonia Livingstone Professor Máire Messenger Davies, PhD, FRSA, It is 20 years this September since Linda Forbes came to work for Laurence Pawley VLV. She started as a part-time secretary to Jocelyn Hay. She valued Lewis Rudd MBE Warren Newman the flexibility the position gave her as the mother of two young boys. Over the years Linda has assumed more and more responsibility Company Secretary and in that time she has become well-known to members as our Waterlow Registrars Ltd Conference and Events Administrator, and the owner of the friendly The Voice of the Listener Trust voice that usually answers the phone. (reg charity 296207) We thank Linda for all she has done for VLV and offer her every good VLV’s sister charity wish for the future. which supports VLV’s educational work Acting Chairman: Professor Sylvia Harvey Hon Secretary: Jocelyn Hay CBE Trustees: Michael Barton John Clark Lady Solti In Memoriam Dr Andrew Taussig VLV office hours: It is with great sadness that we announce the and that he chaired a memorable session of 9.30am - 5.00pm Mon-Thurs death of three staunch VLV supporters. VLV’s Autumn Conference in 2007 at which Sheila Coyle who died in June joined Voice three overseas commentators based in London Voice of the Listener & Viewer Ltd (VLV) of the Listener, as it then was, in 1986 and gave their views on the state of British represents the citizen and consumer was elected to the Committee of broadcasting. Sir Charles joined the BBC shortly interests in broadcasting and works for Management soon after. Sheila, a passionate quality and diversity in British broadcasting. after the war and continued to broadcast on VLV is free from political, sectarian and animal and dog lover, was also a keen radio radio and television until his death in July. We commercial affiliations. VLV is concerned listener and radio dramatist who played an extend our deepest sympathy to Lady Wheeler with the issues, structures, institutions active role in many VLV activities. They and his family. and regulation that underpin the British included providing a valuable base and Christopher Waldo Smith who died earlier broadcasting system and in particular ongoing support for the members who in this year, joined VLV in 2000. He was not an to maintain the principles of public 1987 manned our stall at the ten day Radio service in broadcasting. active member and seldom attended VLV VLV does not handle complaints. Exhibition at Earl’s Court, close to her then conferences, although he enjoyed taking part home. Sheila remained a keen supporter after in some VLV visits to broadcasting centres. He Design & Production moving to Milton Keynes during the 90’s to was, however, a strong supporter of our work High Profile Ltd, Tel: 01474 533077 live with her sister Jackie, to whom we and aims, sending small donations when he Published by Voice of the Listener & Viewer Ltd, extend our most sincere sympathy. could. We are now most grateful for the A private company limited by guarantee (Registered in England number 4407712) Sir Charles Wheeler, the distinguished radio legacy of £500 that he left VLV in his will. Registered address: and television broadcaster was not a member This has enabled us to buy a badly needed PO Box 401, Gravesend, DA12 9FY. but a strong supporter of VLV and its objectives. new computer for Sue Washbrook, VLV’s Tel: 01474 352835 Fax: 01474 351112. Members will remember that Sir Charles kindly E-mail: [email protected] membership Secretary. We extend our Website: www.vlv.org.uk gave an evening lecture for VLV in early 2006 sympathy to all his family and friends. 2 Bulletin Summer 08 Working for Quality and Diversity in Broadcasting Secretary of State addressed Children’s Television - packed Committee Room for VLV Culture Secretary, Rt Hon A Glimmer of Hope? Andy Burnham MP, spoke to more than 100 VLV members Wednesday 5 November 2008, 9.45am – 5pm and guests in the House of The New Connaught Rooms, London WC2 Commons on June 24th. His theme was standards Children’s television in the UK is will provide the latest news, an analysis of the – the guiding principles that experiencing its most severe reduction in issues and a valuable opportunity for all have made British broadcasting so well funding in more than fifty years and, as interested parties to question the political trusted in the UK and around the world: Ofcom has found, this is unlikely to be made parties on their policies before sending their principles that cover impartiality and up on commercial channels without public responses.

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