WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter MP has welcomed two important pieces of legislation to Parliament which will ensure local media is given fair terms of access to global platforms.
The legislation also aims to ensure that social media companies make agreements to use local news stories produced by local journalists.
Technology has revolutionised the way people consume radio, tv and local press, with more and more people using iPads, smartphones and smart speakers.
That is why the Government has introduced the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill as well as the Media Bill – ensuring audiences can more easily access television channels and enjoy quality local radio content like Mix 56, BBC Radio Merseyside and Radio Warrington for generations to come.
The Media Bill will ensure that UK radio stations are not charged by smart speaker platforms for the provision of their live services to listeners, so that listeners can continue to access the stations they love.
The Bill will also cut red tape, but at the same time ensure that the core public service function of radio – the provision of important local news and information – is protected.
The Government has committed itself to delivering long-term decisions to protect the creative industries and public interest journalism, ensuring the UK’s world-leading content is accessible to everyone across the country.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill received its third reading last week. This Bill has provisions to require social media platforms to reach agreement with newspapers to pay when they re-print their news articles.
Mr Carter said:“As the Chair of the All-Party Media Group in Parliament I’ve worked hard with local newspaper groups, radio and TV stations to make sure the right legislation is in place as the way we consume media changes. The last time we updated the law Blockbuster video was the way people watched films at home, there were a handful of radio stations in each area and the only way to read local news was to buy a paper – that’s changed with the growth of digital platforms and the internet so I’ve been meeting with social media channels, tech manufacturers and platforms to ensure they work fairly, in the interests of audiences.
“Whether it is making it easier to find local radio stations via smart speakers, ensuring local news websites receive payment when their stories are used on digital platforms or helping TV channels to agree access to tech like Amazon Fire Sticks, these long-term changes will make sure audiences can continue to access news about where they live as well as their favourite stations and programmes in a digital age.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer MP added: “I was pleased to visit Warrington in the summer to meet local journalists and take part in an interview on Mix56, I want to make sure that listeners can access local radio stations for years to come.
“The Media Bill will cut red tape for local radio, and make them easier to find on smart speakers – ensuring we can all continue to tune in to relax, dance and laugh to our favourite stations.”
