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18/06/2009

Digital Britain Revealed

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to rush a Bill through parliament to take some of the BBC's licence fee revenue away.
The move comes on foot of this week's highly-anticipated Digital Britain report.
His Cabinet Media Secretary Ben Bradshaw has already told MPs that the government would publish a consultation document on the proposal to take some of the licence fee from the BBC to fund ITV regional news.
The move is anticipated within the next two weeks, timed to become law quickly.
Such haste would allow the government to introduce a bill in the Queen's Speech in the autumn and for it to become law before May 2010.
Expanding on the licence fee development, Mr Bradshaw told MPs: "A strong confident and independent BBC is more important than ever.
"This government supports multi-annual licence fee settlements for the BBC so it can plan ahead and act independently of day to day political pressures.
"But we also believe it is in the BBC's own interests to evolve into more of a public service partner with other media organisations," he said.
The controversial proposal was one of several just unveiled and also included key proposals for broadband and a potential tie-up between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4.
The report wants to achieve universal access to 2Mbps broadband by 2012 across the UK and a fund for investment in the next generation of superfast broadband to ensure it is available UK-wide.
It also proposed a digital radio upgrade by 2015 and accelerated current and next generation mobile coverage and services.
Crucially too, there is a new role for the regulator Ofcom being proposed to carry out a full assessment of the UK's communications infrastructure every two years.
Also on digital, a 'new direction' for Channel 4 is being sought championing new talent across all digital media.
Support for independently funded news consortia to take over regional news on ITV is also on the agenda.
On digital participation there is to be a three-year national plan to improve digital participation including a programme of digital switchover in public services, a new 'Digital Inclusion Champion' and with the revised digital remit for Channel 4 the suggestion of a key role for BBC in digital development.
(BMcC/JM)
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