Competition policy and regulatory style – issues for OFCOM
Abstract
Purpose
To examine whether OFCOM's Public Service Broadcasting Review has responded adequately to the contestable values entailed in this dimension of media policy.
Design/methodology/approach
Analysis of OFCOM's premises and reasoning, in particular its use of competition language, to test the implications for its statutory requirement to maintain and strengthen public service broadcasting.
Findings
OFCOM adopts a utilitarian approach when discussing normative issues relating to culture and media values. This is inappropriate in itself, but also reflects a desire to narrow the scope of its remit.
Originality/value
The paper challenges the current regulatory style of OFCOM and points to problems that need to be rectified for its legislative mandate properly to be fulfilled.
Keywords
Citation
Gibbons, T. (2005), "Competition policy and regulatory style – issues for OFCOM", info, Vol. 7 No. 5, pp. 42-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636690510618275
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited