BBC: Excluded from plans

The government has unveiled its plans for a new media "super-regulator" with the publication of bill outlining the shape of the future legislation.

The Office of Communications Bill, which will set up the watchdog that will be known as Ofcom, was published jointly by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport and the Department of Trade and Industry on Friday.

With its publication, the government will be able to set up a board for the new body, and for Ofcom to begin preparatory work before it begins regulating.

A draft Communications Bill to set out the regulations that Ofcom will apply is expected later in the current session of parliament. When the Communications Bill becomes law then the new regulator will begin its work - this will depend on the government finding time to pass the bill, which will not occur before 2003 and the earliest.

Ofcom is to take on the responsibilities of Oftel, the Independent Television Commission, the Radio Authority, the Broadcasting Standards Commission and the Radio communications Agency.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell said the new regulator would ensure TV viewers and radio listeners continue to have a wide range of choice without sacrificing quality.

Trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "Today's bill is the first step in a two-stage process that will transform the communications sector."

"The Bill is the first stage in creating a 21st century regulatory framework that will be good for business and consumers alike," she added.

However, the bill immediately came under fire from the National Consumer Council which argued that the BBC should have been included in the new regulatory system.

NCC director Anna Bradley said: "This bill is like a good recipe with the key ingredient missing. Regulation of the BBC should be transferred from its governors to the new regulator."

"More streamlined and coherent regulation is desirable. Ofcom makes sense for consumers and industry alike. But excluding the key public service broadcaster from its remit makes little sense. The government should draw this welcome regulatory revamp to its logical conclusion," she added.