Ofcom The Key to ITV Stability

1.17.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Oct 2003

Ofcom must be prepared to insist that the new ITV company, a merger between ITV broadcasters Granada and Carlton, fulfils its regional and public service remit, Lord (Tom) McNally, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader in the House of Lords, said today.

Lord McNally said: "Both Ofcom and Patricia Hewitt must be prepared to insist that the new company fulfils its license obligations, particularly in terms of its regional and public service remit."

"Ofcom must be willing to use its public interest powers against any proposed bids for the new company. Without such safeguards the decision will simply look like a fattening-up exercise as a prelude to ITV being gobbled-up by the first American media mogul who happens along."