Monopoly and content concerns
Media monopoly and content regulation concerns form part of BECTU's Communications White Paper response.
The union's full response, as well as responding on the proposed regulatory structure, also focuses on ownership, regional production, universal access, the internet, programme standards, public service broadcasting and equal opportunities and labour market issues.
The UK government Communications White Paper proposes a new unified regulator for the communications and media sector, Ofcom, would take over the existing functions of the ITC, Radio Authority, Broadcasting Standards Commission, OFTEL and the Radio Communications Agency.
Ofcom would oversee content and be responsibility for economic regulation. BECTU argues that content and programming is the issue, and that the explosion of broadcasting hours made possible by digital technology could lead to quality programming losing out.
The union calls for a distinct and identifiable department within Ofcom to deal with content regulation, and for clear and transparent means of conflict resolution with Ofcom's economic objectives.
There is applause for the commitment in the White Paper to consultation with workers in the industry and to better links with Wales and Scotland and the English Regions.
Public service broadcasting must remain at the core of British broadcasting BECTU argues. The union want a much more proactive role for Ofcom on issues of programme range and quality than proposed in the White Paper - Ofcom should actively monitor and enforce programme requirements rather than backstop powers if broadcasters fail to respond adequately.
The union welcome the continued separate and independent regulation of the BBC through the Board of Governors rather than Ofcom as detailed in the White Paper. But BECTU calls for a "clear and meaningful separation of the Governors from the management of the BBC."
On cross-media ownership the union opposes the removal of the 20-20 rule which bars a company with more than 20% of the national newspaper market from owning more than 20% of a terrestrial broadcaster.
The White Paper suggests replacing the 15% limit on TV audience share. BECTU takes a firm stand against joint ownership of ITV and Channel 5 and argues that any abolition of the 15% limit should only be with a much stronger commitment to regional broadcasting and production in ITV.
BECTU seeks strong regional obligations on ITV companies to guarantee regional production and transmission and retain staff.
With the trend towards the takeover of independent production companies by broadcasters the union calls for a re-examination of the definition of 'independent' to ensure companies retain genuine independence rather than acting as arms of media conglomerates.