Channel 4 bosses to give evidence at Lords' news probe

by Fiona Ramsay, Media Week 14-Mar-08, 15:45

LONDON - Luke Johnson, chairman of Channel 4, and Andy Duncan, the channel's chief executive, are to give evidence to a House of Lords' enquiry into broadcasters' news provision.

On 19 March, Channel 4 will give evidence to the House of Lords Communications Committee, which has been investigating media ownership and the news since June last year.

The Channel 4 representatives will be asked about their news provision strategy by the committee, and how this may be affected by declining TV advertising revenue. They will also be asked about Channel 4's plans to adapt news coverage after digital switch-over.

Also giving evidence on the day will be Richard Hooper, former deputy chairman of Ofcom and chairman of the communications regulator's content board.

The committee has been investigating trends in media ownership through evidence from senior journalists and editors of national newspapers, and senior figures at News Corporation, CNN, ITV and the BBC.

Yesterday, Channel 4 released its Next on 4 strategy, which lays out Channel 4's plans for its public service broadcasting provision in the future.