Ofcom has recently been requested by the Secretary of State to develop a measurement framework for media plurality. On 30 October 2014, Ofcom invited stakeholders to provide their input on how best to measure media plurality. This call for inputs is part of a two-step process which will lead to set out proposals for indicators to be included in the measurement framework and to a further consultation on the proposals scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. Developing this framework will also allow a future baseline assessment on the state of media plurality in the UK.
In October 2011, the Secretary of State had asked Ofcom to provide advice on the feasibility of measuring media plurality across platforms answering to five questions. In response to this request, in June 2012, Ofcom published its first Report on measuring media plurality. The consultation refers to this Report. In 2013, the Department for Culture Media and Sport consulted on measuring media plurality. Having established the scope for a measurement framework for media plurality through the conclusions of this consultation, the Secretary of State asked Ofcom on 9 September 2014 to develop the framework itself.
In the call for inputs Ofcom raises questions covering the following themes:
Responses to the call for inputs must be submitted by 27 November 2014.