As the communications bill goes before the House of Lords, Jowell said in a speech to the Westminster Media Forum today that removing ownership rules for media was necessary for growth, investment and innovation. However, US investors would be subject to the same regulations as existing owners when it comes to content.
Jowell said: "We have decided that where possible we should regulate directly to achieve the broadcast outcomes we believe the public want, rather than use indirect ownership rules."
She also hit back at criticism that US ownership of British media, such as ITV, would lower the quality of broadcasting, saying: "As culture secretary, I object to any suggestion that I will preside over a dilution of quality TV.
"The media environment in the US is different -- it has always had fewer content controls and it has never had anything like our commitment to public service broadcasting. But US companies operating here will have to match current quality standards if they are to win an audience, and will have to accept our regulatory conditions."
She played down the signficance of Five, saying it only reaches 80% of the country and wins 6% of the audience. At the moment, the new communications bill would allow Rupert Murdoch buy Five, helping him fulfil his long-held dream of owning a terrestrial network in the UK.
During the speech, Jowell said that commercial broadcasters would be included in the upcoming review of the BBC Charter review in 2006.
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