Citizenship and Public Service Broadcasting How do Ofcom and the BBC Trust see their Roles?

Find out on Thursday, 2 October at the Voice of the Listener and Viewer's conference ‘Citizenship and Broadcasting: putting the public into Public Service Broadcasting' at Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London WC1, 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

Speakers include: Philip Graf, Deputy Chair, Ofcom and Chair Ofcom's Content Board; Diana Coyle, BBC Trustee.

Chair: Roy Greenslade, journalist and media commentator.

Ofcom's primary duty under the 2003 Communication Act is to ‘further the interests of citizens in communication matters' and to ‘further the interests of consumers in communication markets, where possible by competition'.

Ofcom's Consumer Panel has championed the cause of the consumer in both the broadcasting and telecoms markets.

Ofcom's Content Board is responsible for ensuring that programmes serve the citizen's interest, but what powers does the Board actually have in the face, for instance, of ITV's desire to withdraw from many of its public service programme obligations? And how has the Board performed to date?

Ofcom is consulting on its role and performance in relation to citizenship and the deadline for responses is Wednesday 8 October. On Thursday 25 September Ofcom is also expected to launch Phase 2 of its consultation on its Review of Public Service Broadcasting.

This conference will provide a rare opportunity for you to hear and question the key policy makers at first hand on these important issues.

Prior to the conference at 12 noon, Jon Snow, the Channel 4 News anchor will present the prizes to the winners of VLV's 2008 Student Essay Competition ‘Do Citizens and Consumers need different things from their communication environment, or is this a meaningless distinction? The winners in under graduate and post graduate categories will each receive a £500 cash prize kindly donated by Channel 4. They and the two runners-up will also receive two week's work experience with a leading independent producer.

Jon Snow to Launch VLV's Silver Jubilee Appeal

Jon Snow will also launch VLV's Silver Jubilee Appeal on 2 October at 12.15pm. VLV, originally founded as Voice of the Listener, held its inaugural meeting in London on 14 November 2003.  Viewer was added to the name in 1991. The organisation has since grown to become the leading advocate for listeners, viewers and new media users across all broadcasting issues.

Commenting, VLV Chair, Jocelyn Hay said "VLV has achieved an immense amount in its first 25 years, especially in putting the cause of the citizen and consumer in broadcasting on the map. Now, the Jubilee Appeal which has a target of £30,000 over the next 12 months, is intended to help set VLV on a firm financial footing to meet the challenges of the future. In the next five years new communication legislation will be needed with huge implications for the future of public service broadcasting, the BBC and Channel 4."

For further info and tickets contact Linda Forbes at: Linda.Forbes@vlv.org.uk or telephone the office on 01474 352835. Join VLV's mailing list and enjoy 10% discount on all VLV conference fees. Plus enjoy priority bookings and advance news of all events, policy decision, press briefings and news releases. Newsletter Subscription £30 per year. (This subscription brings no membership rights or responsibilities.)