The Stage

Government publishes Digital Economy Bill

Published Friday 20 November 2009 at 14:27 by Matthew Hemley

The government today published its Digital Economy Bill, which includes updates to Channel 4’s remit to cover content made for the internet.

The bill, published by the Department for Business and the Department for Culture Media and Sport, aims to “support the growth in the creative and digital sectors” and realises recommendations set out in the Digital Britain White Paper published in June.

Regarding Channel 4, the bill proposes updating Channel 4’s remit under the Communications Act 2003 to see that Channel 4 participates in “the making of a broad range of relevant media content of high quality that, taken as a whole, appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society” and that appeals to the tastes of “older children and younger adults”.

Specifically, it says Channel 4 must participate in the “broadcasting or distribution of relevant media content by means of a range of different types of electronic communications networks”.

It adds that Channel 4 must encourage innovation in the means by which “relevant media content is broadcast or distributed” and should promote access to and awareness of “services provided in digital form”.

The bill also includes action on unlawful peer-to-peer file-sharing, and a modernisation of the copyright licensing system, which would make it simpler for licensing societies to make content available online.

Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said: “This bill is a key part of the government’s active industrial strategy and will maintain and build on Britain’s leading position.”