Instruct Ofcom to protect broadcast TV (Freeview) and radio to 2040 and beyond

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

Government must safeguard the future of broadcast TV and radio by instructing Ofcom to take a 'no change' position in the frequency allocated to Digital Terrestrial TV (Freeview) at the World Radio Communication Conference in November 2023. Millions rely on Freeview to keep in touch with society.

Unless Government takes action now, the spectrum allocated to these services could be lost. Protecting Freeview will prevent millions of older people at risk of loneliness, depression and ill-health, from being excluded from public information and entertainment. Silver Voices, which advocates for the over 60s, points out that relying on internet based services is less reliable and much more costly. Poorer households are already cancelling streaming services because of the cost-of-living crisis.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can't accept your petition because the UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for the issue you raise. We can't publish petitions that ask the Government to instruct a body that is otherwise independent of Government.

We can accept a petition calling for the Government to guarantee access to freeview/broadcast TV and radio beyond 2040, which would then be a decision for the Government on how to achieve this.

Timeline

16 Dec 2022	Petition opened for signatures
22 Dec 2022	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11

Status Rejected

Rejected 22 Dec 2022

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