Article 14 Functions of OFCOM in relation to broadcasters

Section 264 (OFCOM reports on the fulfilment of the public service remit) is amended as follows.

For subsections (1) to (3) substitute—

“(1)

If required to do so by the Secretary of State, OFCOM must carry out a review of the extent to which the public service broadcasters have, during the specified period, provided relevant television services which (taking them all together over the period as a whole) fulfil the purposes of public service television broadcasting in the United Kingdom.

“The specified period” means the period specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the review.

(2)

The Secretary of State may require a review under this section to be carried out—

(a)

in relation to only the purposes of public service television broadcasting in the United Kingdom specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the review;

(b)

so as to pay particular attention to the public service broadcasters so specified.

(3)

If OFCOM are required to carry out a review under this section, they must also prepare a report on the matters found on the review, with a view to maintaining and strengthening the quality of public service television broadcasting in the United Kingdom.”

In subsection (5), for the words from “OFCOM” to the end substitute “OFCOM must have regard to the desirability of the criteria listed in subsection (6), or such of them as may be specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the review, being met”.

In subsection (6), for the words from “A manner” to “ensures” substitute “The criteria referred to in subsection (5) are”.

In subsection (7)(a), for “in a manner compatible with subsection (6)” substitute “in a way that meets the criteria listed in subsection (6) (or such of them as have been specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the review)”.

In subsection (8)—