Save Our Sound Campaign Update

In a speech to the House of Lords, on November 25, on the subject of the Digital Economy Bill, Baroness McIntosh raised the issue of funding for the PMSE Industry. In her speech the Baroness said: “In a tough environment its way forward is still not clear. I hope that Ofcom and the Government will do everything in their power to promote an outcome that will ensure a healthy, diverse public service landscape for the next generation of citizens and consumers.”

The Baroness then went on to talk about Ofcom’s new obligation “to promote appropriate levels of investment in electronic communications” by stating: "'Appropriate' can be a slippery word, leaving much to the judgment of the regulator, with the possibility of consequences not intended by Parliament.

"We have one example already before us in the current plight of the UK's Programme-Making and Special Events sector, PMSE. This sector is largely defined by the technologies it uses and the activities that rely on them. Those technologies are wireless microphones, commonly known as radio mics. The activities for which they are essential include musical theatre, news gathering, live music, film-making, TV production, sports events, concerts, community events at all scales and, indeed, party conferences.

"Justified, in its own view, by duties enshrined in the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has decided to clear and sell the 15 channels relied on by the PMSE sector, with auction revenues going to the Government. As a consequence, the vast majority of the industry's stock of radio mics will become unusable. If the activities and events I mentioned are to continue even at current levels, all affected equipment will need to be replaced in one go, and at enormous cost to those who own and supply it, many of whom will not have the resources to make the necessary new investment. Nor can the sector plan ahead as it has not been told which alternative channels it will be offered. All productions that depend on the availability of this equipment will therefore be under threat.

"I understand that the Government is committed to offering limited compensation to those who are being cleared from one of the 15 bands due to be sold. This leaves those to be evicted from the other 14 entitled to nothing. This cannot be right. The PMSE sector is running an excellent campaign on this issue, Save Our Sound, and I am grateful to it for briefing me. It aims to persuade the Government that none of those whose equipment will be rendered redundant should suffer financially as a consequence.

"I sympathise with this aim and ask my noble friend whether he can assure me that the Government will act promptly to mitigate the damaging consequences of Ofcom's interpretation of its current duties under the Communications Act by providing compensation to all those affected, not just to some. This is not a small matter. If it is not resolved, we shall all notice the difference whether we are theatre or concert-goers, sports fans or involved in events in our local communities, even in our churches. Perhaps the Government might learn from this problem and, looking ahead, beware of giving regulators broad powers couched in vague language.

"I am a slightly reluctant citizen of Digital Britain; on good days I delight in its diversity and on bad days I long for the information superhighway to be dug up. I am a realist, however; I know that I and everyone else must engage with what a digital future has to offer and I commend the Government for taking steps to help our economy to make the best of it.”

Save Our Sound UK is also delighted to have the support of The Hoosiers. Commenting on the campaign the band said: “We at Hoosier HQ are bereft at the thought of losing audio frequencies, which will restrict live performances the land over when the government sell them on for mere profit.”

The Hoosiers' first single 'Worried About Ray' reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart in July 2007. They released their debut album The Trick to Life, in October 2007 reaching number 1 in the album charts. The band also had a huge hit with 'Goodbye Mr. A' (http://www.myspace.com/thehoosiers).
After the recent declaration of support from T In The Park and DF Concerts, the Save Our Sound UK campaign would like to see more major artists show their support, and urge them to write a message and send an image for the website to mailto:saveoursound@me.com.

The Save Our Sound UK campaign was also lifted by support from The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). Founded in 1899, NODA is the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a membership of some 2,500 amateur/community theatre groups and 3,000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to village halls. (http://www.noda.org.uk)

On Monday, November 23, Louise de Winter, director, National Campaign for the Arts responded (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6927460.ece) to an earlier letter in The Times by Matthew Conway, Director of Operations, Spectrum Policy Group, Ofcom. (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6922074.ece)

For further information on the Save Our Sound UK campaign and to read the many comments left by worried companies and individuals about the potential effects of the funding proposals, please visit the website at http://www.saveoursounduk.com.