Media Bill faces further delay

Concerns are growing that the Media Bill will be delayed until the next parliamentary session following the decision to publish only a draft version.

Leader of the House of Lords Nicholas True told peers yesterday that ministers will publish a draft version of the bill this session, expected to run until the spring, rather than the anticipated final version.

The long-awaited bill now faces further pre-legislative scrutiny and consultation on the proposals for issues including Channel 4 sustainability and PSB prominence. The draft will then require scrutiny by a select committee, before a final version is presented to parliament.

The decision has prompted concerns that a final version will be carried over to the next King’s speech and parliamentary session.

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell criticised the delay as a blow to British broadcasting and our creative industries.

“It is a direct result of the legislative logjam caused by Conservative chaos. The government’s botched plan to sell off Channel 4 has also slowed the introduction of this bill,” she said.

“There is agreement across Parliament that we need to reform the prominence regime – which makes sure TV viewers can find news, current affairs, and UK content that reflects their lives – because the current rules are not fit for the digital age.

“Every week of delay in passing the media bill weakens public service broadcasting, which is the cornerstone of our creative economy. Ministers must stand up to vested interests, and bring forward this Bill in full, not roll over and further erode Britain’s world-leading creative industries.”

Culture secretary Michelle Donelan has repeatedly pledged to bring forward the bill shortly but questions are emerging around how practical this was, after the government abandoned its plan to sell C4 and introduce a package of sustainability measures.

These include allowing C4 to make programming in-house, examining the current qualifying indie quota and introducing protections for smaller indies. Donelan pledged to consult with industry over the plans, which will require careful consideration to ensure that they deliver the intended effect rather than negatively disrupting the landscape.

Pact has flagged its concerns that producers may suffer as a result of the sustainability package.

Chief exec John McVay said: “It’s vital that there are suitable safeguards in place and Pact will be working closely with the secretary of state and DCMS officials on these.”