Advertisements Diary Dates Please refer to VLV when responding to advertisements. VLV Ltd cannot accept any liability or complaint in regard to the following offers. The charge for classified advertisements is 30p per word, 20p for Monday, 20 September members. Please send typed copy with a cheque made payable to VLV Ltd. For display space please VLV visit to Channel Five contact Linda Forbes on 01474 352835. Covent Garden, London WC2 2-3.30pm VLV GIFT MEMBERSHIP Kelly Books 1000s of books, pamphlets and magazines Thursday, 30 September Give VLV membership as a gift to a - new and out of print - VLV visit to Jazz FM friend or relative. We will add a BROADCASTING & MASS (including extensive stock of back issues of London W1 greetings or birthday card to their COMMUNICATIONS: 2-3.30pm membership pack plus a free copy ‘Radio Times’ and ‘The Listener’). of the Radio Listener’s Guide ● GENERAL Thursday, 7 October Kelly Books, 6 Redlands, Tiverton EX16 4DH Evening with Sir David Attenborough to UK Radio 2004. ● HISTORICAL Tel: 01884 256170 Fax: 01884 252765 The British Academy, London SW1 £14.50 single member ● PROGRAMMES Email: [email protected] 6.30 – 8pm £22.50 for two at same address ● PERSONALITIES Website: www.kellybooks.co.uk £21.50 overseas member Monday, 11 October VLV visit to BBC Written Archive Centre, Caversham Park, Reading The Radio Listener's Guide 2004 Television Viewer’s Guide 2004 2.30pm The Radio Listener’s Guide gives details of all the BBC, A new guide for UK television viewers. All the Tuesday, 19 October commercial and Digital radio stations in the UK. Advice information you need about Digital TV, including Sky, VLV visit to Ofcom, Wales and tips on how to improve reception, as well as Freeview and Cable TV. TV transmitter information and Caspian Way, Cardiff reviews of radios, information about new technology map plus advice if you are looking for a new TV, VCR, 2.30pm including DAB, and radio via Sky and Freeview DVD player or recorder. Wednesday, 20 October Price: £5.95 per copy including postage and Price: £5.95 per copy including postage and VLV Welsh Conference packing to UK destinations. Order two and packing to UK destinations. Order two copies The Academy, Holiday Inn, Castle get a third copy Free! and get a third copy FREE! Street, Cardiff Please make cheque or PO payable to: Radio Listener's Please make cheque or PO payable to Radio Listener's 9.45am-4.30pm Guide, FREEPOST, (SWB40688), Plymouth PL8 1ZZ Guide, FREEPOST (SWB 40688) Plymouth PL8 1ZZ Thursday, 28 October Visit to Scottish Screen, COMPETITION - WIN A COPY OF ‘HISTORY AND THE MEDIA’ West George Street, Glasgow 11am-12noon We have 3 copies of ‘History HISTORY AND THE MEDIA - Edited by David Thursday, 28 October and the Media’ edited by David Cannadine. £19.99. Published by Palgrave Macmillian, VLV Scottish Conference Cannadine to give to the first three Brunel Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, RG21 6XS. St Cecilia’s Hall, Cowgate, Edinburgh readers who answer this question 01256 329242. www.palgrave.com. ISBN 1-4039 2037 0 4-8pm. correctly: History programmes have provided one of the recent success stories in British television. Based on a Monday, 8 November Who wrote and presented the conference at London’s Institute of Historical Research, VLV Children’s Forum Conference BBC television series ‘A History this book is a collection of essays written by leading The Royal Society, London SW1 of Britain’? historians and broadcasters, such as Melvyn Bragg, 9.45am-4.45pm Please send your answer to: Simon Schama, Jeremy Isaacs, David Puttnam and Max Hastings. It shows Monday, 29 November The Editor, VLV, 101 Kings' Drive, that televised history has come of age. The medium’s own unique ability to VLV 21st Anniversary Lunch Gravesend, Kent DA12 5BQ. combine facts and visual imagery allows it to provide vivid viewing and make its House of Lords, London SW1 The editor’s decision is final. own contribution to the study of the past. 12.30-2.30pm Tuesday, 30 November VLV Autumn Conference NEW SUBSCRIPTION / DONATION / CHANGE OF ADDRESS* Hamilton House, London WC2 *PLEASE DELETE AS APPROPRIATE 10.30am-4.45pm VLV Subscription - Individual £14.50, two at same address £22.50, overseas £21.50, student/concessionary £10.00. Please make cheques payable to VLV Ltd and send to 101 Kings Drive, Gravesend, DA12 5BQ. Winston Churchill PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS Travelling Fellowships Name The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Address offers ‘Chance of a Lifetime’ 4-8 week Travelling Fellowships for British citizens of any age or background to widen Post Code: their experience by study abroad. Tel Fax: This year’s categories e-mail: include photography OR Credit Card payments and documentary-film Name of Cardholder making, music for the young, young people Card type: Mastercard ■ Visa ■ Expiry date ■■ / ■■ Issue No. ■■ and exploration. Card No. ■■■■ / ■■■■ / ■■■■ / ■■■■ Amount £ Closing date for applications: Signature of Cardholder 21 October. ■ ■ I would like to pay by Bankers' Order Gift Aid please send me a form. For full details phone: 020 7584 9315 or visit www.wcmt.org.uk 8 Bulletin Summer 2004 Voice of the Listener & Viewer Ltd, a private company limited by guarantee, registered no: 4407712 Summer 2004

BulletinBulletinCelebrating our 21st anniversary year Voice of the Listener & Viewer Working for Quality and Diversity in Broadcasting 78 An evening with VLV’s 21st Anniversary Appeal Sir David Attenborough Lord Puttnam launches VLV’s 21st Anniversary Appeal Thursday, 7 October Lord Puttnam launched VLV’s 21st Anniversary Appeal on 7 July at the British Academy, London. Its aim is to raise £75,000 over the next twelve months. Thanks to the generous support of the Robert Gavron Charitable Trust, which has pledged £5,000 for each of the next three years, and to the personal generosity of numerous VLV members and supporters, we are already off to a flying start. In addition to WHY WE ARE MAKING THE APPEAL approaching grant- We need the money to put VLV onto a more making trusts and secure financial base for the future. Only in that foundations, we shall way can VLV grow and extend its work on behalf be holding a series of of listeners and viewers, citizens and consumers, different fund-raising in the harsher environment to come. events. The first two, We are celebrating more than twenty years with Sir David of working for quality, diversity and independence Attenborough and in British broadcasting. In that time radio and Lord Bragg, will be television have changed dramatically. very high profile. Multi-channel television and digital technology, But we are also together with increased commercial competition planning a wide and a changing regulatory framework, are putting variety of events in different places. We would ever-greater pressure on all the terrestrial public welcome your suggestions and your help in service broadcasters, making it much more difficult Sir David Attenborough has made a unique organising them, whether large or small. for them to invest in high quality or innovative contribution to British broadcasting, both as Speaking at the lunch, Lord Puttnam said, that programmes. a programme maker and as an executive. As he would be delighted if all VLV supporters who VLV is committed to making the case for high Controller of BBC2 in its early years, he imbued could, would try to give ‘Just one pound for every quality radio and television and to supporting the the channel with his own distinctive cultural year of VLV’s existence’. We are delighted that principles of public service in broadcasting and the vision and created its sense of high ambitions many have been following his suggestion by new media. by commissioning not only landmark generously donating at least £21 to the appeal. cont. on p4 documentaries – who can forget Civilisation and The Ascent of Man - but also innovative comedy and drama. Anniversary Lunch at the We are therefore delighted that Sir David has agreed to give an evening presentation especially Palace of Westminster for VLV on Thursday, 7 October. It will be the first of a series of fund-raising and other events to mark VLV’s 21st anniversary. He will share his Monday, 29 November experience and discuss some of the techniques of making natural history programmes for the BBC. VLV’s 21st anniversary actually falls in November and we shall The event will be at the British Academy, mark it by a celebratory lunch in the splendid setting of the 10 Carlton House Terrace on Thursday, 7 October, Cholmondeley Room in the House of Lords. Lord (Melvyn) starting at 6.30pm. Tickets, which include a glass Bragg, award-winning author and presenter of the South of wine or other refreshment, cost £25 each. Only Bank Show, has kindly agreed to be the speaker. 100 places are available, so we advise early booking. The lunch will provide another very special opportunity for VLV members and supporters to celebrate its achievements in sparkling style and comfort. Tickets, which include lunch FORTHCOMING VLV and wine, cost £50 each, with a suggested donation of £25 CONFERENCES where possible. Lord (Melvyn) Bragg WELSH, Cardiff - 20 Oct Inside SCOTTISH, Edinburgh - 28 Oct VLV Ltd, 2nd AGM International Conference Conference Programmes CHILDREN’S, London- 8 Nov New VLV Patron Editorial Comment Book Reviews 21ST AUTUMN, London - 30 Nov Spring Conference 21st Anniversary Appeal Visits Summer Conference Meetings & Responses Letters See page 5 2nd AGM of VLV Ltd VLV Ltd’s second AGM was held on Wednesday 7 July 2004, at the British Academy, London SW1 immediately following Voice of the Listener & Viewer VLV’s summer conference on Broadcasting and the Arts – Working for Quality and Diversity in British Broadcasting Renaissance or Retreat?, reported elsewhere in this issue. VLV Patrons Nearly 50 members stayed on to attend. Lord Barnet PC JP Archbishop Lord Eames of Armagh VLV was incorporated as a unanimously. The first Sir Francis Graham-Smith FRS private company limited by amended the number of Lord Inglewood MEP guarantee (No. 4407712) in Board members to a Sir Charles Mackerras, KT, CBE Andrew Taussig 2002. It did not, however, minimum of six and Dame Mary Peters DBE commence trading until maximum of ten, including Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE 1 January 2003. With the end of the financial year the three honorary officers. Anthony Sampson set at 31 March, the annual report presented at The second provided for Lady Solti the first AGM in July 2003 covered only the first staggering the retirement Lord Thomson of Monifieth KT PC three months of trading. The report presented in of the three honorary Sir John Tusa July 2004 was therefore the first to deal with a Warren Newman officers over the next three full year’s operations. years and subsequently. Directors Colin Shaw and Professor Naomi Sargant The third dealt with the future retirement and Jocelyn Hay MBE (Hon Chairman) resigned from the Board during the year, Mr Shaw rotation of Board members. Colin Graeme Thompson FCA, FIRM to become chairman of The Voice of the Listener In her report the chairman thanked the staff (Hon Treasurer) Trust, Naomi Sargant to continue as The Trust’s at Gravesend who had been augmented in 2004 Bob Fletcher (Hon Secretary) Honorary Treasurer. The Chairman thanked each by the appointment of VLV’s first Education & Robert Beveridge for the unstinting support they had given VLV and Development Officer, Eddie Tulasiewiecz. Since his John Clark herself personally over many years, most recently arrival, he had been responsible for the re-launch Dr Brinley Morgan in the preparations for the 21st Anniversary Appeal. of VLV’s website, the production of new Warren Newman Two nominations were received for the membership leaflets and for organising the 21st Professor Vincent Porter vacancies on the Board, each proposed by Jocelyn Anniversary Appeal. Many outsiders, she said, were Professor Naomi Sargant Hay: Andrew Taussig seconded by Bob Fletcher, astonished to learn how much VLV achieved with Andrew Taussig and Warren Newman, seconded by Naomi Sargant. its tiny but dedicated staff and the enormous Jocelyne Tobin Both were elected unanimously. The Chairman said amount of voluntary help given by VLV members that she looked forward to working with them both. and supporters. She was particularly grateful to Company Secretary The reports of the honorary officers were the members of the Board and Strategy Group; Bob Fletcher received and approved unanimously. The report of special thanks due to John and Carey Clark who, the Examiners, Messrs King & Taylor of Gravesend with members of the Mem and Ops Group, VLV office hours: was approved unanimously. The Treasurer proposed organised the presentation of VLV ‘s 2003 Awards 9.00am - 5.00pm Mon-Thurs that new Examiners, Messrs Dendy Neville of for Excellence at the spring conference. Maidstone, be appointed for the coming year. After the close of formal business, over forty Voice of the Listener & Viewer Ltd (VLV) This was also approved unanimously. members stayed for more than an hour to discuss represents the citizen and consumer As required under Article 26 c of the Company’s a wide range of topical issues. A party of some 25 Articles of Association, all three honorary officers then rounded off the day with a flight on the interests in broadcasting and works (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer), having served London Eye and dinner at the Royal Festival Hall. for quality and diversity in two years were required to retire, but being eligible Copies of the Annual Report and of the changes British broadcasting. VLV is free from for re-election, all three were re-nominated and to the Articles of Association are available to members political, sectarian and commercial subsequently elected unanimously. from the VLV office in return for a large SAE. Audio affiliations. VLV is concerned with the Three special Resolutions to amend the cassettes of the AGM and the discussion which issues, structures, institutions, and Articles of Association were approved followed cost £5 including postage and packing. regulation that underpin the British broadcasting system and in particular to maintain the principles of public service in broadcasting. New Patron for VLV VLV does not handle complaints. Sir Charles was born Conductor at the Royal Opera House, English in Sydney. He was National Opera, the Metropolitan New York Design & Production principal oboist with and at many, many orchestras in the UK, High Profile Ltd, Tel: 01474 533077 the Sydney Symphony on the continent and elsewhere. Orchestra before he Sir Charles and Lady Mackerras, who also Published by Voice of the Listener & Viewer Ltd, came to London, comes from Sydney, have been VLV members for A private company limited by guarantee becoming staff several years and we are delighted that he has (number 4407712) conductor at Sadler’s kindly consented to become a Patron. Speaking at Registered address: Wells in 1949. After VLV’s summer conference in 2003 on the future of 101 Kings' Drive, Gravesend, Kent DA12 5BQ. that, he was Principal broadcast music, he passionately defended the role Tel: 01474 352835 Fax: 01474 351112. Sir Charles Mackerras, KT, CBE Conductor with the that the BBC and public service broadcasting play E-mail: [email protected] BBC Concert Orchestra in British musical life. Despite an almost-incredibly Website: www.vlv.org.uk and the Liverpool Philharmonic and the Royal full schedule of engagements, we look forward to Philharmonic Orchestras. He has also been Guest seeing and hearing more of them both in future.

2 Bulletin Summer 2004 Working for Quality and Diversity in Broadcasting Public Service Broadcasting: safe in whose hands? VLV’s 21st Spring Conference held on 30 April

Stephen Carter, Chief Executive, Ofcom, Hooper, Deputy to the Ofcom Chairman, Lord Chairman and Director General were appointed. the new Office of Communications, gave the Currie of Marylebone. An independent Consumer He spent more than an hour answering questions keynote speech at VLV’s 2004 spring conference Panel had also been established by the Act to about many aspects of the BBC’s role and workings, in London on 30 April. Steven Barnett, Professor advise the Ofcom Board on consumer issues such including BBC Radio and the World Service. of Broadcasting at Westminster University and as access, privacy, redress, value for money. It was chaired by Colette Bowe. The two bodies would Stephen Carter Observer columnist was in the chair. and Mr Carter described how Ofcom had been set liaise with each other but their roles did not overlap. Steven After a detailed and informative presentation, Mr up under the 2003 Communications Act to replace Barnett Carter spent over an hour answering questions Oftel and the four former broadcasting regulators. before joining members for a sandwich lunch. It became operational at the start of 2004 and had had to establish itself extremely quickly because of Mark Byford, Acting Director General of the BBC, was the speaker in the afternoon session the timetable imposed on it by political and with Gillian Reynolds, Radio Critic and Columnist technical developments. Ofcom is revising all the at the Daily Telegraph in the chair. codes of practice and guidelines of its predecessors Mr Byford.who was appointed in the wake and at the same time was required to conduct a of the resignation of the former Director General review of public service television, the results of Greg Dyke, said the BBC had leant lessons from which would inform the Government’s thinking on the Hutton inquiry and now needed to put the the renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter. matter behind it. The most important thing, he The main Ofcom board would delegate some of said, was to look to the future and the BBC Audio cassettes of the proceedings its work related to radio and television programme Charter renewal. The BBC‘s response to the DCMS cost £19.50 including postage. content to its Content Board, chaired by Richard consultation would be delayed until a new

Broadcasting and Civil Society in the Digital Age Broadcasting and the VLV’s 9th International Conference, held on 26 and 27 April 2004 Arts - Renaissance at the Royal Society, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1 or Retreat?

Well over a hundred delegates participated in Speakers included: Peter Grant, Senior Partner, VLV’s Summer Conference VLV’s 9th international conference which was McCarthy, Tetrault, Canada; Roger Raven, Friends at the British Academy, London opened by Lord McIntosh, UK Minister for of the ABC, Australia; Dr Daya Thussu, Goldsmiths Wednesday, 7 July Broadcasting and Heritage, with a warm College, London; Stewart Purvis, City University, welcome from the UK Government. London; Guillaume Chevenière, Chairman, World Nearly 90 people attended VLV’s summer Mark Thompson, Chief Executive of Channel 4 Radio & Television Council, Geneva; Dr Noreen conference on the state of broadcasting and followed, outlining some of the issues facing Golfman, Chair, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting; the arts, following the launch of VLV’s 21st broadcasters in the UK and elsewhere as digital Stefann Depypere, Directorate for Competition, Anniversary Appeal on 7 July. European Commission; Professor Vincent Porter, technology brings increasing interactivity and The speakers were: Alan Yentob, BBC Director, University of Westminster; Carole Tongue, former hundreds of new channels and services. The MEP; Vladimir Gai, Chief of Section, UNESCO, Creative, Entertainment & Children’s; Janet implications for public service broadcasters, Paris; Huw Jones, Chief Executive, S4C, Wales; Younghusband, Commissioning Editor for Arts, democracy and cultural diversity, he said, of the Rafael Segovia, Council for Culture & the Arts, Channel 4; Kim Peat, Controller of Daytime, Arts & consequent economic and social changes were Mexico; Elizabeth Smith, Secretary-General, Religion, Five; Roger Wright, Controller, BBC Radio 3. immense. Other speakers from Europe, Asia, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association; Dr Ivor The theme was chosen after Australia, North and Central America took up the Gaber, London; Dr Manfred Kops; University of Ofcom published research, same themes, leading to a consensus and Cologne; Professor Manuel Jose Lopes da Silva, AC conducted as part of its review Resolution calling on Governments to support the Media, Portugal; Preben Sørensen, Danish Viewers’ of public service television, which principles of public service broadcasting, drafted and Listeners’ Federation; Greg Bensberg, Digital seemed to show that viewers no by rapporteur, Jeremy Mitchell, and put to the Adviser, OFCOM; Ashley Highfield, BBC Director longer placed a high value on art conference in the final session by VLV chairman, New Media & Technology; Philip Laven, Technical and music programmes. Each of the Roger Graef Jocelyn Hay. After discussion the Resolution was Director, EBU; Milica Howell, the Hansard Society, speakers stoutly defended their company’s arts passed unanimously. Copies are available from the London; Dr Damian Tambini, Oxford University; policies and all seemed confident that funding VLV website, or in return for an SAE. John Clark, VLV Board member. would continue at least at its current rate. Only Audio cassettes of the conference Kim Peat, however, was willing to say just how proceedings cost £35 much of her company’s total programme budget including postage. was actually allocated to the arts: 2%. (See letter from Michael Darlow, p7). Roger Wright, whose EURALVA Meeting During the conference, representatives network supports four of the BBC’s Orchestras, the of EURALVA, the European Alliance of BBC Choir and Singers, and the Proms, said that Listeners’ & Viewers’ Associations, from he had no doubt that support at its present level Denmark, Portugal, Australia, Canada would continue for Radio 3. and the UK, welcomed new members Some in the audience were less sanguine and from Germany and Norway. An apology felt that neither broadcasters nor audiences was received from Finland. should be complacent. Euralva representatives pictured above from left to right: Dr Manfred Copps, Roger Raven, Geir Nyborg, Jocelyn Hay, Audio cassettes of the event Professor Manuel Jose Lopes da Silva, Professor Noreen Golfman and Preben Sørensen. cost £12.50 including postage.

Summer 2004 Bulletin 3 Editorial Comment As I write on a hot summer predecessors. What a marathon undertaking, not public service broadcasting and for a publicly funded, day I feel we are enjoying a only for Ofcom, but also for organisations like VLV publicly accountable, independently governed BBC. short lull between storms. In which try to respond in the public interest but Against us stands an array of free market the past two years, briefings, have only a fraction of its resources. advocates and commercial rivals of the BBC who meetings, consultations and Debate about the future of the BBC will constantly assert - and in some cases naively seminars have occurred almost intensify as Lord Burns and his committee get fully believe - that competition will provide virtually all every day. In the first year into their task of reviewing all aspects of the BBC’s the programmes and quality ‘consumers’ want. They they were dominated by the role. He held his first two seminars in the last week argue that subscription TV would be a fairer way Communications Bill, in the of July. I was invited to speak at one, and Board to fund the BBC than the universal licence fee and, second by issues surrounding the Bill’s member Vincent Porter attended the other. Some seductively, add that as the number of channels grows, enactment and the creation of Ofcom, the new eight or ten more are to follow. They are all vitally so the case for a public service BBC is weakened. Office of Communications, and with the start important because the findings will inform Lord Many of those who deploy these arguments, of debate about the future of the BBC. Burns’ report to the Secretary of State. She will publicly and privately, have no interest in Discussions have continued, always passionate then be involved in drafting the Green Paper on the broadcasting as a public good and simply brush and intense, right up to August. Now there’s just future of the BBC, expected in the New Year. aside all the evidence that the rigorous application the briefest break in which to re-charge batteries. Although the BBC Charter runs to the end of of market principles is already in danger of In the autumn Ofcom will announce the results 2006, the legislative process is already underway seriously damaging the public interest. Yet one of the second phase of its review of public service and the first phase of public consultation ended only has to travel abroad or entertain visitors from television. At the same time, Ofcom will launch on 31 March. There is now very little time left to the USA to realise how wrong they are and how fresh consultations as it revises and harmonises all influence government thinking. VLV’s concern is to many of the benefits that public service the codes and guidelines prepared by its five articulate and raise awareness of the case for broadcasting brings are ones that we in the UK simply take for granted. Continued from front cover VLV needs to boost its resources quickly and massively in order meet these challenges, VLV’s 21st Anniversary Appeal so this Bulletin gives prominence to our Anniversary Appeal. I know we can rely on our VLV’s priorities include Our independence stems from the fact that our members and many safeguarding the BBC’s ability work is funded almost entirely by subscriptions friends and supporters to provide impartial news and and donations from our members and supporters. to help us meet current affairs, and to maintain Our growth to date has been organic. We have those challenges. the quality and range of its arts launched our Anniversary Appeal because now we and other programmes; It is vital need to grow more quickly in order to ensure that to ensure that Channel 4 can VLV has the resources to meet the challenges Ways You Can Help continue to fulfil its remit as a public service ahead. We have set ourselves an ambitious target 6 broadcaster with particular responsibilities for but the money is essential if VLV is to continue to VLV Continue to Grow! innovation and experiment and serving the needs make the case for public service broadcasting in ● of minorities, and for VLV to ensure that the new and more effective ways, and to continue its Donate £21 to VLV’s 21st Anniversary Appeal interests of citizens and consumers are21 at the work as the leading advocate for the citizen and If you would like to make a donation by credit forefront of all broadcasting policy, especially as consumer in broadcasting. card, please call 01474 352835. If you would we move towards digital switch-over. The Appeal will run for the next year, until July like to send a cheque, please make it payable One of VLV’s greatest strengths is its freedom 2005, with VLV’s actual birthday, 14th November, to VLV Ltd – or, if you are prepared to Gift Aid from commercial, political and sectarian influence. at its centre. the amount, which will increase its value by nearly a third at no extra cost to you, please make it out to The Voice of the Listener Trust. The Trust is VLV’s charitable arm and funds all its educational conference and our 9th international broadcasting VLV – the first 21 years work. (Reg charity No. 296207). conference following in April. In VLV’s first 21 years, the organisation has Most recently the summer conference was ● Recruit a New Member advanced from a small, single-issue campaign held on 7 July Do you have family to its present position as the UK’s leading members, friends or work advocate for the citizen and consumer in The next 21 years! colleagues who are keen broadcasting. Celebrating that achievement Looking to the future, the threats to public radio listeners or TV gives us a chance to pause and recall some service broadcasting and to the independence viewers and who might of the most important developments in and integrity of broadcasters are real and wish to support VLV? VLV’s work and activities since 1983. immediate. You could help us by 2004 has already been one of VLV’s busiest They include controversies over the future distributing our attractive years. Our work in the first six months alone has governance and funding of the BBC, increasing new membership leaflets to societies or included submitting detailed responses to the commercialisation, and the possibility of foreign organisations to which you belong, or by leaving DCMS consultations on BBC Charter renewal and ownership of British radio and television companies. them at your local library, college, church or the BBC’s new media and online services, as well At the same time, new digital media, including the community centre. If you would like more copies, as to Ofcom’s Review of Public Service Television Internet, offer the prospect of new forms of public or to discuss the matter, please call us now on and a number of others. In March we held a public service broadcasting and new ways of providing 01474 352835 or e-mail [email protected]. seminar in BBC Charter Renewal, with the Spring information, education and entertainment. ● Renew your Subscription promptly What are your hopes and fears for the future of British broadcasting? ● Hold, or help us to organise, a Fundraising WIN! Event or Library Display in your locality; Please write and tell us. We will publish the best ideas and there will be a or invite a VLV Speaker to your Club, University prize of a portable, wind-up radio with built in torch for the most interesting one. or Society. Please call 01474 352835 for more Please send your ideas to the Editor, VLV Bulletin or email to [email protected]. information or e-mail [email protected]

4 Bulletin Summer 2004 Working for Quality and Diversity in Broadcasting The 2003 VLV Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting Andrew Marr, the BBC’s Political Editor and himself a former award-winner, presented the VLV’s VLV Autumn Conference 2003 Awards at the spring conference in April. Having been unable to attend at the last moment last year, he went out of his way to say how pleased he was to be invited again. Those who won Programmes them, he said, considered them very special. His words were confirmed by the exceptionally high turn-out of members of the production teams who had worked on the winning programmes and VLV’s autumn programme is designed to raise public the obvious pleasure they, and the many VLV members present, clearly derived from the event. awareness and debate about four key issues facing British The Awards organised by John Clark are sponsored by The Voice of the Listener Trust. The winners broadcasting today: the importance of the role that radio each receive an engraved glass trophy kindly donated by Dartington Crystal. and TV play in British democracy; the future of the BBC, The Winners of the 2003 VLV Awards VLV’S 2004 AWARDS FOR whose Royal Charter expires in 2006; Ofcom’s review of EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING public service television; and the implications for viewers RADIO The VLV Critic’s Award for The VLV Awards are popular and listeners of the government’s desire to switch to Best Programme: The Proms. 2003, nominated by VLV’s with broadcasters and digital transmission by 2012. Best New Radio Programme: selected critic, Stephen Pile members alike. They give Kathleen Ferrier Night. of the Daily Telegraph: members a unique opportunity Wednesday, 20 October: Cardiff to air their preferences in a Best Individual Contribution State of Play, directed by very positive way. Sometimes, VLV’S 7TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE to Radio: Melvyn Bragg. David Yates. however, we feel that IN WALES – Broadcasting in Wales – TELEVISION nominations are biased Charting the Future. Best Television Programme: towards the timing of voting. In our 21st year we want to 9.45am- 4.30pm, The Academy, Holiday The Lost Prince. make the Awards especially Inn, Castle Street, Cardiff. Best New Television significant and special, so Speakers include: Huw Jones (left), Chief Programme: Seven Wonders please try to remember your Executive, S4C; Rhodri Williams, Director, of the Industrial Age. favourite programmes from Ofcom Wales; Huw Thomas, BBC Wales, Best Individual Contribution the first half of this year and Head of Communications & Public Policy; to Television: Robert Winston. send their names to us now. We would like to have the Tim Suter, Ofcom Partner, Content and Standards Policy . Two Special Awards were widest spread of nominations Thursday, 28 October: Edinburgh presented, over and above in this crucial year for public those nominated: service broadcasting. Send VLV’S 10TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE A VLV Special Award to: them marked ‘Awards 2004’ on IN SCOTLAND – Charting the Future – a postcard to the VLV office or Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News, Broadcasting in and for Scotland. Robert Winston receives his award e-mail to [email protected] for her reporting from Iraq. from Andrew Marr. 4 - 8pm, St Cecilia’s Hall, University of Edinburgh, The Cowgate, Edinburgh. Speakers include: Ken MacQuarrie Meetings and Events attended by VLV (right), Controller, BBC Scotland; Vicki Nash, Director Ofcom Scotland; Bobby Some of the events in which VLV has Public Consultations Hain, Managing Director, Scottish Television; Jocelyn Hay, participated since the last Bulletin include: VLV has submitted responses to: Chairman, VLV; Robert Beveridge, Napier University, Edinburgh. Ofcom’s Chair of Consumer Panel and officials ● Ofcom Licensing Community Radio - April reviewing Programme Codes. Seminars on ● 2nd Phase of Ofcom’s Review of Public Monday, 8 November: London Media Literacy and Ofcom’s Review of Public Service Television - June 8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF Service Television. Seminars of the Social ● DCMS Inquiries into the BBC’s New Digital THE VLV FORUM FOR CHILDREN’S Market Foundation, Westminster Media Forum Radio and Television Services - July.. BROADCASTING – Children’s Radio on BBC Charter Renewal and BBC’s New & Television in a globalised, Media Services; and at the DCMS - for Lord Consultations Still Current multi-channel world Burns’ Committee on BBC Charter Renewal. ● Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee 9.30-4.45pm, The Royal Society, VLV has also met BBC Policy officials and sent Inquiry into BBC Charter Renewal. 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1. speakers to: World Press Freedom Day; PCML ● Ofcom consultation on Media Literacy. Speakers include: Dorothy Prior (left), Oxford University Summer School; Association ● Ofcom Review of Party Political Broadcasts. Controller CBBC; Steven Andrew, Controller ITV Daytime of International Broadcasters; the Advertising ● Ofcom Review of Programme Codes. and Children’s; Nick Wilson, Controller, Children’s & Youth Association; Hansard Society; Bromley U3A, For further information visit Ofcom’s website: Programmes, Five; Anna Home, Chief Executive, Children’s Chevening and Beckenham WIs and Gravesend www.ofcom.org.uk or telephone: Film & Television Foundation; Andrea Millward-Hargrave, Rotary Club. 020 7891 3000. Principal, Milward-Hargrave Ltd, former Director of Research, BSC and Independent Television Commission; Rosalind Bates, Senior Examiner, British Board of Film widely known in the UK and overseas. Classification; Robin Blake, Manager, Media Literacy Ofcom. VLV’s New Website We hope you will now help us to promote Tuesday, 30 November: London VLV’s new website gives full details of VLV’s it and suggest ways we might improve it. work, policies and forthcoming events. It The web address is: www.vlv.org.uk VLV’S 21ST ANNUAL AUTUMN includes a booking form for conferences and CONFERENCE – Public Service members’ visits and social events, allowing Broadcasting: Charting the Future you to reserve priority tickets. 10.30-4.45pm, Hamilton House, Whilst we know that many people do not Mabledon Place, have access to the Web, we are pleased that off Euston Road, more and more are now finding their way to London WC1. our website and are enjoying its use. We Keynote Speakers: have designed it to be user-friendly and Luke Johnson (above left), Chairman, easily accessible by those with disabilities. Channel 4; Ed Richards (right), Ofcom Our aim is to make VLV’s work much more Senior Partner, Strategy and Market Development.

Summer 2004 Bulletin 5 Book Reviews VLV Visits for Members

PROMOTE OR PROTECT? VLV Visit to BBC New Media Unit Visit to BBC East and Radio Norfolk Perspectives on Media Literacy and Media Regulations Jonathan Kingsbury, the Unit’s head, hosted edited by Cecilia von Feilitzen and Ulla Carlsson. a visit for VLV members to its offices in Bush published by NORDICOM, Goteborg University, House, London, in June. He explained that the Box 713, SE 405 30, Goteborg, Sweden. Unit, which is responsible for BBCi and www.nordicom.gu.se, ISBN: 91-89471-23-7 interactive digital TV (using the red button on Media literacy will become increasingly important in the handset) has an annual budget of £105m, the multi-channel digital world for both adults and of which some £80m is committed to the children. This collection of 21 essays by media website. Its statistics are awesome: 2.5million professionals from all five continents reflects concerns pages, around 10.5 million UK users per month; about the state of media education, media professionals’ understanding of children and the effectiveness of 77 message boards and a million incoming media regulation. It aims to stimulate discussion, e-mails each week. The BBC now ranks fifth A group of VLV members greatly enjoyed a visit inform research and influence policy-making in order of all website providers. On-demand audio in June to the studios of BBC East and Radio to develop greater competence among young people streaming of radio programmes is an Norfolk in their new home in Norwich’s as media users. increasingly popular resource, despite problems spectacular new Forum arts centre. The move FREE FOR ALL? with rights occur, and they are testing a similar from the outskirts of the city to its heart at the Public service television in the video system for TV programmes. edge of the market square was welcomed by digital age by Barry Cox. ICAN, a new facility, allows users to play staff and the public, who can now ‘look in’ on £10. Published by Demos, a greater role in the democratic process by some of the programmes as they are broadcast. Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, participating in debates from local transport Wendy Witham and David Clayton, station London SE1 7NQ. 020 7401 5330. to the future of the licence fee. editor, explained that the studios are entirely www.demos.co.uk Interactive digital TV is being further developed, digital and that its new location enables the Barry Cox, is Deputy Chair of together with a new version of the information station to be involved in and to broadcast many Channel 4 and adviser on digital to the government. currently provided with DAB radio or radio heard of the events staged, literally, on its doorstep. In these lectures, delivered in 2003 as New through Freeview TV. Yet again the BBC is taking Tim Bishop, Head of BBC East rounded off the International Visiting Professor of Broadcast Media at the lead but how much of this would have happened visit with a word on BBC policy and by answering Oxford, he states that digital television provides the chance to create a conventional consumer market in without its licence fee funding? Ron Gurd members’ questions on a wide range of topics. TV programmes. This has profound implications for station. It was followed by East Midlands in the BBC and BSkyB. Visit to Saga Radio, East Midlands 2003. A new station will open in Glasgow in Both are near-monopolies whose dominance should A small party of VLV members were welcomed September. be challenged. BSkyB, now close to paying off its by Ron Coles, Managing Director, Saga Group Paul Robey, Director of Programming and Phil start-up costs, should lose its near monopoly of Radio to its East Midlands studios in Dixon, Director of Saga 106.6FM, explained that they pay-TV, he says. The BBC has a choice between Nottingham in May. He said that the Group had target their audiences with melodic music and shows remaining a large organisation though funded started as a holiday business for the over-fifties that are 40% talk in the morning and afternoon, and through voluntary means or becoming a scaled-down in 1951, later adding the magazine and then publicly-funded broadcaster. Although Cox believes include no more than 12 advertisements in the hour. radio. Saga West Midlands was its first analogue that the licence fee should continue for the present, Cynthia McDowall he urges both the BBC and the government to look a a new model of public service broadcaster which maintains its production base but is funded by Who’s Who in Broadcasting voluntary subscription rather than compulsory tax. BBC GOVERNORS - Michael Grade, a former BBC executive and Chief Executive of INDEPENDENTS STRUGGLE Channel 4, was appointed Chairman of the BBC Governors in May, following the By Michael Darlow, £16.00. resignation of Gavyn Davies. Anthony Salz, co-senior partner at media lawyers Published by Quartet Books, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has been appointed Vice-Chairman, replacing Lord Ryder 27 Goodge Street, London of Wensum PC OBE. Richard Tait, former Editor-in-chief at ITN, now Professor of W1P 2LD, 020 7637 3992. Journalism at Cardiff University, replaces Governor Baroness Hogg, who resigned in [email protected] February. Dermot Gleeson has been appointed Governor for a second four-year term. ISBN 07043 81559 Michael Grade Sir Robert Smith, National Governor for Scotland will step down at the end of the year. Michael Darlow has won many awards in a long career, first with the BBC and later as BBC EXECUTIVE CHANGES - Mark Thompson, left Channel 4 to become BBC Director an independent producer. This book offers a history of General in July. Mark Byford, who acted as Director General in the interregnum following television and calls for a re-consideration of the ideas the resignation of Greg Dyke, reverts to Deputy Director General. and values which govern television provision today. Richard Sambrook moves to become Director of the BBC’s World Before the creation of Channel 4 in the early 80’s, Service & Global News Division. He will be replaced as Director of almost all TV programmes were produced in -house BBC News by Helen Boaden, currently Controller of BBC Radio 4 and by the BBC or one or other of the ITV companies. The BBC 7. Roly Keating has been appointed Controller of BBC 2, advent of Channel 4 provided opportunities for new replacing Jane Root who left to work in the USA. He is replaced as Mark Thompson talent and ideas, freeing the industry from restrictive Controller of BBC 4 by Janice Hadlow. Ken MacQuarrie has been practices and creating a new multi-billion pound appointed Controller, BBC Scotland, replacing John McCormick who has retired. industrial sector. Darlow describes the subsequent Helen Boaden NEW BBC EXECUTIVE STRUCTURE - The new Director General has replaced the struggle of the independent companies to gain the former 27 strong executive committee by four smaller boards. They are: the new right to supply 25% of the output of the BBC and the Executive Board, chaired by himself with Mark Byford as deputy; a Creative Board, also chaired by ITV companies. With the growth of multi-channel himself with Mark Byford as deputy; a Journalism Board, chaired by Mark Byford with the Director television, the arrival of the new regulator Ofcom and the review of the BBC ‘s Royal Charter before it of News as deputy; a Commercial Board chaired by John Smith, Director of Finance, with the Chief expires in 2006, he laments the general trivialisation Executive of BBC Worldwide as deputy. of TV under the pressure of the current emphasis on CHANNEL 4 - Luke Johnson, Chairman of Riskcapitalpartners, has been appointed Chairman of ratings and the maximisation of profit. He concludes, Channel 4, replacing Vanni Treves. Andy Duncan, BBC Director of Marketing, Communications and sadly, that public service broadcasting and its values Audiences has been appointed Chief Executive, Channel 4, replacing Mark Thompson. are today under threat as never before.

6 Bulletin Summer 2004 Working for Quality and Diversity in Broadcasting Letters to the Editor Letters do not necessarily represent the views of the Association and may be shortened for publication. RADIO 3’S MUSIC POLICY INADEQUATE PUBLIC CONSULTATION RE BBC DIGITAL RECEPTION PROBLEMS. I am concerned that the Controller of Radio 3 has CHARTER RENEWAL I got your address via the idtv web site. I live near changed the published remit for the station so that it Re Robert Beveridge's letter (spring issue) about the Stroud in Gloucestershire. Although there is a no longer includes the words ‘classical music’. To me, DCMS public meeting in Edinburgh on BBC Charter 'booster' transmitter, none of us can get a signal that is Radio 3’s prime concern. Why is he also including Review. I was at the meeting in York and was so for Freeview (5,500 population). Is it just a more so much ‘World Music’, and other non-classical music dissatisfied I wrote afterwards to the Secretary of powerful transmitter at Nailsworth that is needed ? Who will pay? There must be other areas of the genres especially in the evening? I am sure many State . --- I only learnt about it from VLV and when country that have this problem: other Radio 3 devotees are as unhappy as I am. I rang to check details I was at first told that all the 1) Who can we lobby to change this?. Judith Bramley, Blakeney, Glos meetings were over. --- Only 45 people attended in 2) What happens when analogue is switched off? Editor’s note: These questions were put to Roger York, though this was more than the total of the three A digital TV is no use without a good quality signal. Wright at the summer conference. He replied previous meetings together. --- The Secretary of State Derek Pitt, Via e-mail. that Radio 3’s remit remained unchanged. spoke only for a couple of minutes, did not take Classical music makes up 85% of its output. questions. Although the meeting was scheduled to Editor’s note: VLV’s representatives will take this ‘World’ music, he said, was just a new term for up with other similar complaints we have end at 9pm, it was abruptly halted 75 minutes early. what used to be called ‘Ethographic’ music which received. We suggest people in problem areas had always been included in Radio 3’s repertoire David Eggington, Oprmskirk, Lancs ring the Freeview helpline 08708 809980. as had other genres. Jazz Record Requests would I was at supper with an ex-chairman of the Liberal Contact their local Trading Standards Officer or this year celebrate its 40th anniversary. Party, ex-Tory MP, UK director of a charity, frighteningly write to the Secretary of State at the DCMS, bright lawyer, young civil servant/diplomat and a very 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH. Or log TELEVISION AND CHILDREN clued-up lady. Not one had heard of the DCMS public on to the DCMS website: www. culture.gov. uk As a primary school teacher I was drawn to the letter consultation on the future of the BBC. from Eddie Tulasiewicz VLV's education Officer in the BROADCASTING AND THE ARTS June mailing about children and television. Peter Glazebrook, Oxford Re; the Ofcom research (published with the report of Phase One its Review of Public Service Television). I am concerned about the violence and 'unreal' RADIO 4 LISTENER'S BLIND DATE situations thrust upon us at peak viewing times and If audiences do NOT place a high value on arts As a Radio 4 enthusiast, I received a curious invitation programmes then we must be even further down the that thought-provoking programmes are becoming via VLV to take part in a Radio Academy 'Blind Date' fewer and pushed to late evening. barbarian track than we'd realized. We must still have event. The format was simple: six 'guests' sat on a arts programmes, but perhaps they need to be better I don't want to sound like Victor Meldrew, but there is stage, separated by a screen from a hidden panel. The not much for the general public to emulate or admire done than they sometimes are. I am not sure that panel comprised three executives from BBC Radio 4 'reconstruction' inserts are always helpful, and I'm at peak viewing time . Children from the age of six or and commercial radio. They asked questions in an seven watch this stuff. I hear about it in the classroom sick to death of spooky music or otherwise attempt to guess the listeners’ preferred radio stations. inappropriate sound effects. all the time. They think it is real life. Presumably some Surprisingly, both the audience of radio practitioners adults do, too, and believe that the standards and the panel found it difficult to identify the stations. Cherry Lavell, Cheltenham, Glos portrayed are okay. Hopefully,the radio controllers will remember when At VLV’s summer conference see p3, the speakers Sue Williams Raahauge, Chipping Camden, Glos planning their schedules that they are being listened seemed reluctant to answer questions about how to by a diverse audience. much of their channel's total budget is currently devoted to arts and music programmes. THE BBC AND THE LICENCE FEE For the record, the stations selected were Choice FM, Kim Peat of Channel 5 was the only one to give a When I first came to England from Boston, USA, 45 years Virgin, Capital, Magic, Radio 4 and Radio 1. figure - just 2% goes to the arts. Surprisingly, the ago I was amazed to have to pay a tax for a radio and Tim Bourne, By e-mail others do no better. A glance at the recent annual TV licence. But it has been worth it 365 x over! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE VLV WEBSITE reports of Channel 4 and the BBC reveals that in 2003 Now I understand it is better NOT to have to please Channel 4 devoted just £9.3 out of a total programme the advertisers and much more worthwhile to please, I took some of the new VLV leaflets to my local librarian, who mistakenly confused VLV with the budget of £457.5 to arts and music, i.e. 2.04%. This entertain, educate (for me the listeners. We need the organisation founded by Mary Whitehouse. When he provided 247 out of a total of 8760 hours of airtime. BBC's quality journalism interspersed with humour looked up the website he was so impressed he Based on the BBC’s 2003-4 report it seems that BBC1 and the common touch. immediately agreed to display our leaflets. and BBC 2 (including regional programmes of Ten years ago, my husband and I decided to return to Incidentally, thank you so much for a most enjoyable £1390m) provided 355 hours of arts and music England for two reasons: family and the BBC! day on 7 July - interesting conference, good viewing programmes, only 201 hours of which were first Betty Hooper, Oxford from the London Eye, followed by a delicious dinner in transmissions. The average cost of these was VLV is doing important work. I live in Cumbria and excellent company. What a pleasure! I enclose my £145.600 per hour, hence it can be deduced that the have contacts with Radio Cumbria. Local radio is vital contribution to the 21st Anniversary Appeal and combined spend by the two channels on new arts and in rural communities. wish you well. music programmes was £29.27m, i.e.2%. Just 201 hours of first transmissions out of a total of 17,130 Ann Risman, Penrith Cynthia McDowall, Derby hours of airtime for the two. On BBC 3 and BBC 4 the position looks superficially Patrick Campbell, who was in his late nineties when better. Out of a combine total of 6.192 hours, 1381 Obituaries he died in July, was one of the BBC’s foremost radio were arts and music - on BBC 4 accounting for no less Anthony Pragnell CBE drama producers in the years after the second World than 42% of airtime. However, just 336 of the 1,381 Tony Pragnell, who died in June served with the War. Himself a playwright and prolific writer on hours were first transmissions. We can deduce therefore, ITA the first regulator of commercial television, broadcasting matters, Patrick was a passionate that although half of BBC 4's total budget of £35.2m was spent on arts and music, three out of every four and later its successor, the Independent defender of public service broadcasting and of the hours devoted to them on BBC 3 and 4 were repeats. Broadcasting Authority with great dedication role he felt the BBC should play in setting standards As BBC 4 achieved a total audience reach of just 5.8% from 1954 until his retirement as Deputy Director across all genres. In his later years he was an active and a total share of just 0.1%, rising to 0.2% in multi- General in 1953. He was much more than an member of the Writers’ Guild, and editor of its channel homes, the real measure of the BBC's public administrator and had a keen understanding of the monthly newsletter. It was in this role that he came service output must be judged by BBC 1 and BBC 2. relationship between quality in programming and to know and support VLV and its work. He continued Michael Darlow, Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts the constitutional structures necessary to to write to the end and his history of TV drama in the guarantee it. In retirement he gave strong backing 70’s: ‘Vibrations in the Memory – a decade of Deadline for next issue: 25 September, 2004 to VLV and was a frequent supporter of VLV events television drama’ - was published this year. We send Write, fax or e-mail your letters to the Editor at: with his wife Terry. We send our deep sympathy to our sincere condolences to Mrs Campbell and his son [email protected] her and to his family. Michael, an early VLV committee member.

Summer 2004 Bulletin 7