Part I

The Independent Broadcasting Authority

Powers of Government in relation to Authority

Government control over Authority as to hours of broadcasting.
28
1
The Secretary of State may from time to time by notice in writing give directions to the Authority—
a
as to the maximum or minimum time, or both the maximum and the minimum time, which is to be given in any day, week or other period to broadcasts from any of the broadcasting stations used by them, and
b
as to the hours of the day in which such broadcasts are or are not to be given;
and it shall be the duty of the Authority to comply with the notice.
2
A direction under this section may be framed in any way, and in particular—
a
may be confined to broadcasts from those broadcasting stations which transmit, or usually transmit, the same programme, or may be different for different broadcasting stations, or for different programmes broadcast from the same station;
b
may make special provision for annual holidays and other special occasions;
c
may be confined to a specified day in the week, or may be different for different days in the week;
d
in imposing a maximum number of hours for any purpose, may allow for programmes or items of specified kinds being left out of account in determining the maximum (whether in all circumstances or depending on the fulfilment of specified conditions as regards programmes or items so specified).
3
The Secretary of State may, whether or not a direction under this section provides for exemptions, exempt the Authority from any requirement of such a direction on any occasion or in any circumstances.
4
Nothing in the preceding provisions of this section shall be taken as authorising the Secretary of State to give directions which make different provisions for the parts of programmes consisting of advertisements and the other parts of programmes.
5
The powers conferred by this section are in addition to any powers specially conferred on the Secretary of State by any other provisions of this Act.
Ss. 28–30 extended (prosp.) by Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 (c. 46, SIF 96), ss. 44(1), 51(1), 59(4), Sch. 4
Ss. 28, 29 modified by Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42, SIF 96), s. 129, Sch. 11 Pt. II paras. 1(3)(d)(4)(8), 5, Pt. IV para. 1(3)(c)(4)(8)