X-Nico

14 unusual facts about Communications Act 2003


ATVOD

The European Television without Frontiers Directive, created to harmonise European broadcasting regulations, was implemented into UK law through Part 4A of the Communications Act 2003.

Babeworld

Ofcom therefore concluded that Babeworld Television Limited was not the provider of the licensed services in accordance with section 362(2) of the Communications Act 2003.

Ben Emmerson

In 2012, Emmerson represented a man at appeal after he was convicted of sending "a message of a menacing character" under the Communications Act 2003, for posting a joke on twitter which was interpreted as a threat to blow up an airport.

Clive Hollick, Baron Hollick

Ironically, the last restrictions on ITV company joint ownership were lifted by the Communications Act 2003, and in February 2004 Granada and Carlton merged to form a single entity ITV plc controlling all of the ITV franchises in England and Wales.

Competition Appeal Tribunal

To hear appeals against certain decisions made by Ofcom and the Secretary of State relating to the exercise by Ofcom of its functions under Part 2 (networks, services and the radio spectrum) and sections 290 to 294 and Schedule 11 (networking arrangements for Channel 3) of the Communications Act 2003.

Competition Commission

The CC has an appeal function following decisions by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to modify certain energy codes under the Energy Act 2004 and in relation to price control decisions by Ofcom, following a reference by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) under the Communications Act 2003.

Legality of piggybacking

In London, 2005, Gregory Straszkiewicz was the first person to be convicted of a related crime, "dishonestly obtaining an electronics communication service" (under s.125 Communications Act 2003).

MG Alba

The organisation's remit, under the Communications Act 2003, is to ensure that a wide and diverse range of high quality Gaelic programmes is made available to persons in Scotland.

Murder of April Jones

On 8 October 2012, a 19-year-old male from Chorley in Lancashire was sentenced to 12 weeks' imprisonment in a Young Offender Institution for posting comments about Jones and Madeleine McCann on his Facebook page, after pleading guilty to sending a grossly offensive message, an offence under section 127 (1)a of the Communications Act 2003.

Party political broadcast

In the United Kingdom the Communications Act 2003 prohibits political advertising on television or radio; parties are instead allocated broadcast slots (usually around five minutes long) free of charge on broadcast channels using a formula set by Parliament.

Teachers TV

This was a requirement of the Communications Act 2003 and Ofcom, the regulator for the UK communications industries.

Telecommunications Act 1984

The rules for the industry are now contained in the Communications Act 2003.

TeleG

The Communications Act 2003 created the Gaelic Media Service which decides on the future development of Gaelic Broadcasting services.

Wireless Telegraphy Acts

The Communications Act 2003 (provided for new activities relating to spectrum pricing)