APPENDIX 21
Memorandum submitted by the Incorporated
Society of British Advertisers (ISBA)
ISBA appreciates the opportunity to submit written
evidence. Our position has not changed since we last sent the
Committee our concerns on behalf of the industry.
We would draw the Committee's attention to the
following documents, further copies of which are available on
request:
— ISBA's submission to the Culture,
Media and Sport Select Committee's inquiry into the Communications
White Paper dated 8 January 2001.
— ISBA's response to the Government's
invitation to comment on its December 2000 White Paper "A
New Future for Communications' dated 12 February 2001.
From these, the Committee will see that we are
the only organisation to represent the interests of British Advertisers.
We not only collectively represent one of the most significant
groups of employers, but also account for the largest single source
of funding of the UK's media.
Specifically, ISBA and its members:
— Oppose any relaxation in rules which
might lead to yet further reductions in competition in the market
for advertising media—eg consolidation of ITV under single
ownership, or reductions in minimum number of companies which
can own any or all of the UK's media.
— Argue that current broadcasting regulation
is inconsistent from broadcaster to broadcaster, and that this
should be addressed in the first instance by the full inclusion
of all broadcasters under the remit of the new OFCOM.
— Fully support Government in its championing
of online broadband Britain, and to this effect therefore oppose
any moves which might constrain free operations in this important
but emerging market, such as the outlawing of, or requirement
to opt into, "cookies".
We would be happy to provide further evidence
and comment as required.
11 December 2001
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