Consultation on sustainable, independent and impartial news in the Nations, locally and in the regions
This consultation has now ended. The consultation period was 30 June - 22 September 2009
Responses to the consultation can be found online.
Government response to the consultation on sustainable independent and impartial news in the nations, locally and in the regions. [16 November 2009]
The final report ‘Digital Britain: Attitudes to supporting non-BBC regional news from the TV licence fee’ is now available. [9 November 2009]
The Digital Britain White Paper, published on 16 June 2009 made clear the Government's commitment to audiences having choice of high quality, public service content. It made a particular case for intervention to prevent a decline in the provision of news in the Nations, locally and in the regions.
The White Paper therefore set out proposals for introducing independently funded news consortia (IFNCs) that would provide news in the Nations, locally and in the regions (in the Channel 3 weekday schedule). Government intends to trial this proposal first on a pilot basis in Scotland, Wales and one English region, with national roll out from 2013.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the proposal to provide top-up funding for news consortia through a contained, contestable element to be introduced to the next licence fee settlement in 2013 and on alternative sources of funding.
The principle of using licence fee monies in this way needs to be subject to a public debate and we welcome your comments on the consultation document.
Consultation documents
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This consultation is now closed:
The closing date for responses and submissions was 22 September 2009
Freedom of information
Please note responses may be published, unless you ask us not do so. In addition under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 all information in responses, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure. If any correspondent requests confidentiality this cannot be guaranteed, and will only be possible if considered appropriate under the legislation.
A summary of responses will be published after the closing date.
For enquiries about the consultation (handling) process only please contact DCMS Public Engagement and Recognition Unit (PERU) at the above address or email enquiries@culture.gsi.gov.uk, heading your communication 'Consultation on sustainable, independent and impartial news in the Nations, locally and in the regions'.
Related information
These documents are available online in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
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