OFCOM

[Heathray]

Ofcom is to replace the ITC on 01.01.04 if I am not mistaken.

Does anyone know if they will have more or less powers to censor TV shows, be they satellite, pay-per-view, cable or terrestrial.

[Paul Tavener]

Check out for more info. The answer is maybe. There is a campaign running on this issue contact admin@ofwatch.org.uk for further details.

[woodgnome]

at the fifth or sixth time of asking, please read section 3.3 of the faq for instructions on formatting (making clickable) website and email addresses.

[Heathray]

So Paul do you think we will advance or go back to the Victorian ideals of Mary Shitehouse? The BBFC have relaxed, what about the TV regulators? I can imagine the tossers at the Daily Mail going beserk if TAC etc showed full sex, even though you can watch The Lovers Guide on Sky Box Office.

[Paul Tavener]

I think we will probably get full R18 on UK subscription TV by the Summer/Autumn of 2004, but its by no means certain. Ofcom have publicly stated that their regulation will be "consistent, proportionate, joined up with that of other regualtors and evidence based". I can't see how they can possibly do anything else. We can get foreign hardcore services (which the DCMS have given up proscribing), we can get R18 from sex shops and there realy is not reliable evidence of any harm. Then there's regulating in the interests of the consumer to consider and the improvements there have been in digital PIN protection etc. If they don't deregulate they will end up as some sort of public aunt sally.

I will try to post developments here every few weeks:


If you want any more details you can contact email me here:
admin@ofwatch.org.uk

(appologies woodgnome)

[Paul Tavener]

Ofcom is the official UK regulator now (as of 29th December )