This module surveys the current organisation of the established radio and television industries in the UK: along with their emerging relationship with online distribution through streaming and other forms of 'web presence'. On it you will identify the key characteristics by which the industry sectors are described: public service, commercial and the 'alternative' / 'community' / 'third' sector. You will relate the practical consequences of corporate ownership, various funding models, institutional organisation and employment structures to the decisions broadcasters make and hence to the content that UK audiences typically receive - with reference to overseas and historical examples to illustrate broad principles. You will consider Ofcom's regulatory and licensing roles in the UK in significant detail and how these, along with legal constraints and responsibilities arising from the laws of the land, determine and/or influence broadcast practices. This introductory understanding of broad principle you will relate to current debates about how digitalization, the convergence of technologies, `time-shifted? viewing and listening and the proliferation of channels are disrupting traditional conceptions of broadcasting.

The teaching time in the module is mainly in the form of lecture / workshops in which you consider the underlying principles of broadcast regulation and licensing and how they shape patterns of ownership and organisation across the range of broadcast media. Each of these areas is subject to ongoing debate and much of your independent study is concerned with researching the opposing arguments (e.g. for and against various forms of censorship). You are also introduced to the broad practical effects that legislation, current broadcast regulation and organisational policies have on individual programme makers

BBC Producers Guidelines
Crisell, A. 2002 An introductory history of British broadcasting London: Routledge
Crone, T. 2002 Law and the media: an everyday guide for professionals. 4th edn. Oxford: Focal Press
DTI & DCMS 2000 A New Future for Communications HMSO
Lewis, P. & Booth, J. 1989 The invisible medium: public, commercial and community radio Basingstoke: Macmillan
Ofcom Programme Codes: radio & television

Library and online resources

1. Small group presentation on a given practical scenario including submission of written notes [Learning Outcomes 3, 4]
2. Individual essay presenting opposing sides of a case or debate [Learning Outcomes 1, 2]