A new future for communications : presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by command of Her Majesty, December

This White Paper addresses the rapid changes that have taken place in broadcasting and communications technology and sets out a framework for communications regulation that is intended to ensure universal access, maintain diversity, plurality and competitive advantage and protect the interests of citizens and consumers.

The main proposal is for a new, overarching regulator for the broadcast and telecommunications industries (OFCOM) to be created which will take over the work of organizations such as OFTEL, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority.

OFCOM will ensure fair competition within the industry while maintaining standards in programming for viewers and listeners.