Part 3

Television and Radio Services ETC
Chapter 4

Regulatory provisions

Character and coverage of radio services

Local news and information in local digital radio services
315A
1
The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make provision for enabling OFCOM to ensure that, for each licensed local radio multiplex service, at least one of the licensed local digital sound programme services broadcast by means of that multiplex service consists of, or includes, local news and information or locally-gathered news and information.
2
The provision that may be made by regulations under this section includes provision about the conditions that OFCOM may, or must, include in a licence that authorises the provision of—
a
a local digital sound programme service, or
b
a local radio multiplex service.
3
The Secretary of State must consult OFCOM before making regulations under this section.
4
The power in section 402(3)(c) for regulations under this section to make consequential provision includes power to make provision which amends any enactment.
5
In this section—
- “
licensed
” local radio multiplex service or local digital sound programme service means such a service which is provided in accordance with a licence issued by OFCOM;
- “
local news and information
”, in relation to a local radio multiplex service or a local digital sound programme service provided through such a multiplex service, means news and information which is of particular interest—
  1. to persons living or working within the area or locality for which the multiplex service is provided;
  2. to persons living or working within a part of that area or locality; or
  3. to particular communities living or working within that area or locality or a part of it;
- “
locally-gathered news
”, in relation to a local radio multiplex service or a local digital sound programme service provided through such a multiplex service, means news that has been gathered in the area or locality for which the multiplex service is provided, by persons who gather news in the course of an employment or business.
Ss. 263-271 amendment to earlier affecting provision SI 2003/3195 art. 6 Sch. 2 (31.3.2005) by Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/856), arts. 1(1), 2(a)(ii)
Ss. 263-271 amendment to earlier affecting provision SI 2003/3197 art. 6 Sch. 2 (31.3.2005) by Communications (Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/855), arts. 1(1), 2(a)(ii)
Word in Pt. 3 inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 22(4), 47(1)
Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (14.2.2012) by The Local Digital Television Programme Services Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/292), arts. 1, 4, Sch. Pt. 2
S. 315A inserted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 44(9), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(d)
Pt. 3: amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2012/292, Sch. Pt. 2 (12.7.2012) by The Broadcasting (Local Digital Television Programme Services and Independent Productions) (Amendment) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1842), art. 4
Pt. 3 modified (1.4.2025) by The Community Radio Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/160), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. (with art. 8)