Memorandum submitted by Creators' Rights
Alliance
INTRODUCTION
We believe that it is of vital importance that
the role of creators' and the huge contribution they make to the
BBC's content across all media is recognised and taken into account
throughout the BBC Charter Renewal process. We are, therefore,
pleased that this Committee acknowledges our contribution to the
debate and to have the opportunity to provide evidence in support
of our Affiliated Members to this Inquiry.
The Creators' Rights Alliance is made up of
16 major organisations that together represent over 85,000 copyright
creators and content providers throughout the media. The current
affiliated members are listed below.
The CRA submission to the CMS BBC Charter Renewal
Inquiry in April represented the broad consensus reached by the
Creators' Rights Alliance and was based on the CRA submission
to the DCMS Public Consultation and Review of the BBC Royal Charter.
Since then the debate has moved forward with
the publication of the BBC's own document, Building Public Value.
We are encouraged to see that the BBC has taken on board many
of the concerns expressed by our members and has requested our
contribution to its own reviews. There is a real sense of openness
and willingness to develop a meaningful relationship with creators'
which is ultimately to the benefit of us all.
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
OF THE
CREATORS' RIGHTS
ALLIANCE
Association of British Science Writers, Association
of Illustrators, Association of Photographers, Association of
United Recording Artists, British Academy of Composers & Songwriters,
British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies, Chartered
Institute of Journalists, Directors Guild of Great Britain, Garden
Writers' Guild, The Incorporated Society of Musicians, The Musicians
Union, National Union of Journalists, Outdoor Writers' Guild,
The Society of Producers & Composers of Applied Music, The
Society of Authors, The Writers' Guild of Great Britain.
SUMMARY
The BBC is essential to UK creative talent both
now and in the digital world.
The licence fee is the most viable and appropriate
way to fund the BBC.
The public and the BBC governors are the best
way to regulate the BBC and we do not see the need to add another
layer of regulation with Ofcom.
HOW SHOULD
THE BBC BE
FUNDED?
We strongly believe that the licence fee is
the only viable way to fund the BBC.
We have examined and discussed in detail the
alternatives but firmly believe that to maintain a dynamic, quality
broadcasting industry (in the widest possible meaning of the word),
free from the influence of government and commercial concerns
and to ensure that the UK has a voice in the wider world the licence
fee is by far the best option.
From the creators' point of view it means that
we can continue to expect:
— Fair treatment and contracts
— Training and development opportunities
to encourage new creative talent and maximise the potential of
existing talent
— A commitment to diversity and representation
of all sectors of the UK
Through governance and accountability, the BBC
should continue to be trusted to spend the money it receives in
a way that meets its obligations as the main PSB in the UK.
WHAT SCOPE
AND REMIT
SHOULD THE
BBC HAVE?
"Broadcasting" should be looked at
in the widest possible meaning—spreading the word—encompassing
new technologies as well as radio and television.
The BBC belongs to the people of the UK in a
way that no other broadcaster does or could. It is an integral
part of our lives and is a trusted, reliable source of information,
unpolluted by political or financial shareholder interests. It
is unique in its ability to educate, inform and entertain without
the influence of advertisers, sponsors, politicians or financial
shareholders. It is at the heart of our democracy.
The growth in digital TV (and digital film projection)
and likely developments in the Internet and other new media provide
an increasing number of platforms for people to receive "broadcasts".
In the same way that the BBC has been influential in ensuring
a high quality threshold for radio and TV content in the UK, we
believe that it is essential for the BBC to play a significant
role in a digital world and thus provide quality benchmarks for
the future.
A digital future also brings with it an abundance
of opportunities. The BBC is ideally placed to capitalise on these
opportunities to the advantage of everyone in the UK. It opens
the door for small, community based projects supported by local
BBC facilities and personnel through to major joint international
projects that ensure that British culture is broadcast internationally.
If the UK is to sustain its unique creative
and cultural voice in a world increasingly dominated by large
international corporations it needs a BBC that has the benefit
of significant economies of scale together with a commitment to
public service content and broadcasting.
HOW SHOULD
THE BBC BE
GOVERNED AND/OR
REGULATED AND
WHAT ROLE
SHOULD BE
PLAYED BY
OFCOM?
At the most senior level the BBC needs to achieve
separation from political and commercial interests. However, we
believe that there may also be advantages to a clearer separation
of governance and day-to-day management of the BBC.
The role of the governors is regulatory so we
do not see the point in introducing another layer of regulation
by adding Ofcom to the equation. The BBC should not be measured
by the same criteria as commercial broadcasters. Additionally
we would like to see the interests of creators' represented on
the Board of Governors to ensure that the BBC continues to treat
us fairly and acts as an example of good practice to other broadcasters.
IN A
CHANGING COMMUNICATIONS
ENVIRONMENT, DOES
A 10-YEAR
ROYAL CHARTER
AND AGREEMENT
WITH THE
SECRETARY OF
STATE, TOGETHER,
PROVIDE THE
MOST APPROPRIATE
REGIME FOR
THE BBC?
It is precisely because we live in such dynamic
times that the BBC should receive a 10-year agreement. To be effective
not only in the UK but also in the global broadcasting arena,
the BBC needs to be able to plan in the long term. The BBC is
constantly subject to public scrutiny and with the proposals it
has made for its future is keen to ensure that this is the case.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The BBC should continue to be funded by the
licence fee.
The BBC should be a beacon of good practice.
There should be clear separation between the
governor's and the day-to-day management of the BBC.
September 2004
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