Bristish media regulator Ofcom yesterday has set out its plans for putting the United Kingdom’s Media Bill into practice, once it becomes law.

The Bill represents the first major update to media legislation for 20 years. It takes forward many of Ofcom’s recommendations to deliver a stronger system of public service media fit for the digital age, following its major review, Small Screen: Big Debate.

The regulator in a statement yesterday said specifically, the Bill provides with new tools to ensure that the UK viewers and listeners can continue to access high quality programming and journalism, while being protected from harmful content.

“It makes changes to our existing responsibilities, including to our regulation of commercial radio and how we ensure that public service broadcasters deliver against their quotas. It also introduces new duties, including a requirement to put in place new regulations for online TV prominence and voice assistants, as well as a novel standards-setting code for streaming services,” ofcom said.

Ofcom said it will implement the new rules as quickly as possible once they become law, ensuring its approach is fair, proportionate and effective. The timelines set out in the roadmap to regulation are based on the regulator’s current understanding of the new duties and when we expect the legislation to come into force.

As parliamentary scheduling and Ofcom’s own preparatory work progresses, the regulator said it will provide further updates as necessary.