Overview

This bill aims to redefine "public service content" in broadcasting, ensuring that only programs meeting specific criteria receive public funding (the licence fee). It also introduces greater scrutiny of how licence fee money is spent.

Description

The bill amends the Communications Act 2003. It defines "public service content" as primarily UK-produced material that:

• Provides impartial, factual, and objective news or current affairs (local, national, or international);
• Primarily aims to inform, educate, or entertain children;
• Is primarily charitable or religious in nature;
• Would not otherwise be provided by the market due to a lack of consumer demand (this judgement is made by the National Audit Office).

Content must also meet standards of good taste and decency. The bill repeals section 264 of the Communications Act 2003 and mandates that licence fee revenue will only fund broadcasting that meets the new public service content criteria. The National Audit Office will conduct annual value-for-money audits of licence fee spending on public service broadcasting, with the results published and presented to Parliament. The cost of these audits will be reclaimed from licence fee revenue.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly increase or decrease overall government spending. However, it aims to ensure that licence fee revenue is used more efficiently and effectively, potentially leading to savings by reducing funding for content not meeting the new criteria. Specific figures are not provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Broadcasters: May experience a reduction in licence fee funding if their programming doesn't meet the new definition of public service content.
• Viewers/Listeners: May see changes in programming as broadcasters adapt to the new criteria.
• National Audit Office: Takes on increased responsibility for auditing licence fee spending and defining certain aspects of public service content.
• Parliament: Will receive annual reports on the value-for-money audits of licence fee spending.

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