The Future of Broadcasting

INTRODUCTION

This Report, commissioned by the Social Morality Council^*. in 1972, is offered as a modest contribution to public debate on the future of broadcasting. The SMC initiative was taken at that time partly because the Charter of the BBC and the Act which established the IB A were thought to be due for renewal and revision in 1976. The Government has since postponed the date to 1981, but this decision does not diminish the need for informed public debate; indeed, though the Government still does not intend to set up a full-scale inquiry, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications has invited opinions and suggestions on such questions as the use of the Fourth Channel and regional broadcasting needs. The postponed date has in fact increased ...