Broadcasting Act 1980
Encyclopedia
The Broadcasting Act 1980 (1980 c. 64) was an Act of Parliament
in the United Kingdom
. It was repealed by the Broadcasting Act 1981
, though the provisions of the Act remained in force.
The most significant effect of the Act was to amend the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act 1973, giving the Independent Broadcasting Authority
the power to provide a second television station. This began the process which would lead to the creation of Channel 4
in 1982.
It also made provision for the broadcasting of television programmes in Wales, and established the Broadcasting Complaints Commission.
It also allowed the government to take over control of the BBC
in a time of national emergency.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was repealed by the Broadcasting Act 1981
Broadcasting Act 1981
The Broadcasting Act 1981 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The effect of the Act was to consolidate the previous Independent Broadcasting Acts 1973, 1974 and 1978 and the Broadcasting Act 1980. The Act was repealed by the Broadcasting Act 1990...
, though the provisions of the Act remained in force.
The most significant effect of the Act was to amend the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act 1973, giving the Independent Broadcasting Authority
Independent Broadcasting Authority
The Independent Broadcasting Authority was the regulatory body in the United Kingdom for commercial television - and commercial/independent radio broadcasts...
the power to provide a second television station. This began the process which would lead to the creation of Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in 1982.
It also made provision for the broadcasting of television programmes in Wales, and established the Broadcasting Complaints Commission.
It also allowed the government to take over control of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in a time of national emergency.