This Government is committed to defending the invaluable role of a free media. This is vital to a strong and fully functioning democracy where the powerful can be held to account.<\/p>
Ofcom is the UK\u2019s independent broadcasting regulator. In particular, it is required by legislation, and accountable to Parliament, to draw up and enforce a Broadcasting Code for television to ensure that audiences are adequately protected from harm. It is for Ofcom to determine whether there has been a breach of the Broadcasting Code, and whether to take action. In making any decision, Ofcom is required by the Communications Act 2003 to strike a balance between ensuring an appropriate level of freedom of expression and adequate protection from harmful material. It would not be appropriate for the Government to assess their effectiveness in this regard.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/39", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Maldon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir John Whittingdale"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-25T08:53:28.857Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "217"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Press Freedom"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of Ofcom in protecting freedom of speech in the media.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"} ], "uin" : "203646"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666361", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666361/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Home Office collects and publishes official statistics on the investigative outcomes of crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales on a quarterly basis. This includes offenders issued with Penalty Notices for Disorder. The latest statistics, up to the year ending June 2023, can be accessed here:<\/p>
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tables<\/a><\/p> This information is available on an offence-basis and it is not possible to separately identify graffiti from other types of criminal damage.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-26T10:00:08.207Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Graffiti: Fines"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were handed on-the-spot fines for graffiti in each year since 2013.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "203647"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666386", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666386/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We expect to publish the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Strategy next year. We remain fully committed to publishing the Strategy so people living with ABI have the best quality of life and outcomes.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-25T12:04:54.21Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Brain: Injuries"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the Acquired Brain Injury Strategy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "203648"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666122", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666122/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "203435"}
, {"_value" : "203436"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-26T10:47:26.02Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Twitter: Prosecutions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been prosecuted in the UK for offences relating to posts made on X, formerly known as Twitter, in each year for which records exist.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "203434"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666124", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666124/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "203434"}
, {"_value" : "203436"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-26T10:47:25.973Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "TikTok: Prosecutions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been prosecuted in the UK for offences relating to posts made on TikTok for in each year for which records exist.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "203435"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666125", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666125/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "203434"}
, {"_value" : "203435"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-26T10:47:26.05Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Facebook: Prosecutions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been prosecuted in the UK for offences relating to posts made on Facebook in each year for which records exist.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "203436"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666152", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Science, Innovation and Technology"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1666152/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " 5G was first launched in 2019, and while most 5G sites are focused around busy urban areas, we\u2019re now seeing coverage extending into smaller towns. Basic, non-standalone, 5G is now available outside 85% of UK premises.<\/p> The Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published earlier this year, announced the Government\u2019s vision for wireless connectivity and shared a new ambition for nationwide coverage of higher quality, standalone 5G in all populated areas by 2030. We are providing a long-term ambition to help the private sector invest in 5G networks by supporting competition, driving down deployment costs and driving the take-up of innovative, 5G-enabled tech by the business and public sectors.<\/p> The Department provides extensive guidance for local authorities and operators to help facilitate broadband and mobile deployment through the Digital Connectivity Portal<\/a>. We have also taken steps to make it easier and cheaper for operators to deploy 5G. This includes reforming the planning system in England. Alongside this, measures within the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, will support upgrades of sites to 5G.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/39", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Maldon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir John Whittingdale"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-25T13:04:07.303Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "216"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "5G: Rural Areas"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to reduce 5G (a) not spots and (b) partial not spots in rural areas.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "203437"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1665674", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1665674/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Home Office does not hold a complete data set of all arrests made related to these groups for the time periods requested.<\/p> However, in January 2023, the police reported that around 2000 individuals were arrested during 2022 relating to JSO protests by 15 different forces for a range of criminal offences. This includes 31 individuals who were arrested in advance of JSO protests and had equipment seized before it could be used to cause disruption.<\/p> Additionally, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reported that over 13 weeks between May and July 2023, 271 arrests were made in response to JSOs 91 days of consecutive slow marches in London. Of those arrests, 174 have been charged to date with a breach of conditions. A further 82 remain on bail. These numbers were correct as of 23 August 2023. The lower number of arrests so far in 2023, reflect the MPS\u2019s use of powers to impose conditions on public possessions. Further information is set out here: Policing Just Stop Oil protests has cost Met £7.7 million | Metropolitan Police<\/a><\/p> The Home Office does not centrally hold information relation to protests by Extinction Rebellion. However, it was reported by the London Assembly ( Policing Just Stop Oil protests has cost Met £7.7 million | Metropolitan Police<\/a>) that there were 243 arrests in total made between January and September 2022.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "203203"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-25T11:13:18.66Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Just Stop Oil: Demonstrations"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were arrested in connection with protests organised by Just Stop Oil in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "203202"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1665675", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1665675/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Home Office does not hold a complete data set of all arrests made related to these groups for the time periods requested.<\/p> However, in January 2023, the police reported that around 2000 individuals were arrested during 2022 relating to JSO protests by 15 different forces for a range of criminal offences. This includes 31 individuals who were arrested in advance of JSO protests and had equipment seized before it could be used to cause disruption.<\/p> Additionally, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reported that over 13 weeks between May and July 2023, 271 arrests were made in response to JSOs 91 days of consecutive slow marches in London. Of those arrests, 174 have been charged to date with a breach of conditions. A further 82 remain on bail. These numbers were correct as of 23 August 2023. The lower number of arrests so far in 2023, reflect the MPS\u2019s use of powers to impose conditions on public possessions. Further information is set out here: Policing Just Stop Oil protests has cost Met £7.7 million | Metropolitan Police<\/a><\/p>