Switching off analogue. Digital radio policymaking and the public

Seminar: Monday 6 June 2011, 10.30-4.00, University of Leeds

The emergence of digital radio in the UK has been described, at different times, as hugely successful and as utterly disastrous. Certainly, in comparison with other countries, digital radio is well developed in the UK; however, in marked contrast with digital television, more than a decade after its launch digital radio still accounts for a small percentage of overall listening, and its growth is slower than most had forecast. Government policy is that most analogue radio stations should follow their TV counterparts and switch to digital-only operation in the near rather than distant future, suggesting 2015 as a target date – a date widely regarded as over ambitious.

Popular media response has been hostile to the prospect of digital switchover. Consumer groups have also urged caution, while noting the lack of public discussion of plans for digital radio’s future. At the same time many in the radio industry support the idea of switchover and have worked closely with government to develop policy in this direction.

This seminar will examine the development of digital radio policy and the extent to which the voices of different interests – the public, broadcasters and equipment manufacturers – have been heard. Plans for switching from analogue radio involve questions of accountability in policy development and market based approaches to media regulation.

Contributions are invited for short papers. Please send proposals (250 words max.) to

[log in to unmask] by Monday 9 May 2011.

Confirmed speakers include:

·         Katharine Sarikakis (University of Vienna)

·         Justin Schlosberg (Goldsmiths, University of London)

·         Michael Starks (University of Oxford, author Switching to Digital Television)

·         Robert Clark (Voice of the Listener and Viewer; Digital Consumer Expert group)

For more information and to register for the seminar, go to www.digitalradiopolicy.leeds.ac.uk

Registration costs £12 to cover lunch and refreshments.

This seminar is organised by MeCCSA’s Radio Studies network and Policy network, with the Media Industries Research Centre at the Institute of Communications Studies, University of Leeds.

Dr Stephen Lax

Senior Lecturer in Communications Technology
Institute of Communications Studies
Clothworkers' Building North

University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
UK

Tel. +44 (0)113 343 5817
Fax. +44 (0)113 343 5820

http://ics.leeds.ac.uk/staff/stevel