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<p>We have made no such assessment. The local programming and content requirements
for holders of local analogue commercial radio licenses are set by Ofcom under the
relevant legislative framework – primarily the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications
Act 2003. These are matters for Ofcom.</p><p> </p><p>In particular, Ofcom is required
under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003 to publish and keep under review
guidance for commercial radio licensees setting out the detailed local programming
requirements that they consider it to be appropriate for local stations to carry.</p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>The relevant guidelines were updated by Ofcom in 2018 to give local
FM licensees greater flexibility in how and where local stations produce their programmes,
while ensuring that listeners’ expectations for high quality local news and other
content continue to be met. In drawing up the current guidance, Ofcom took account
of the changing patterns of radio and audio listening and the views of radio listeners.
The revised guidelines are published on Ofcom's <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-for-industry/radio-broadcasters/localness"
target="_blank">website</a>, and it will be for Bauer to make decisions about how
to organise their services while still meeting their regulatory requirements in particular
the requirements to produce local news and news programming.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The
Government has long-term plans to legislate to reduce other burdens on commercial
radio while maintaining protections for the provision on local news and extending
these requirements to digital radio, where there are currently no such protections
in place. We consulted on changes in 2017, and will bring forward legislation when
Parliamentary time is available.</p><p> </p>
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