Consortium launch
A new Consortium to promote Digital Participation in the UK will be launched today.
The Consortium – launched by Ofcom Chairman Colette Bowe and Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms MP – aims to increase the reach, breadth and depth of digital technology use.
It also aims to maximise digital participation and promote its economic and social benefits.
The Consortium will encourage people to take up digital communication technologies by providing information, motivation and support.
Digital participation
The launch of the Consortium forms part of a fortnight of activity to raise awareness and encourage digital participation across the UK.
BT Chief Executive Ian Livingston
‘This is a great opportunity to achieve a more inclusive Digital Britain by working together.’
BBC Chief Executive Mark Thompson
‘The BBC is delighted to be a part of the Consortium. Media Literacy as part of the wider programme of digital participation is key to the BBC’s public purposes. Helping more of the population get connected to the internet is a major goal for the BBC, and as a trusted brand with the audience, we will use our content across a variety of platforms to help encourage that take up. The BBC is pleased to be working with key partners from the creative, commercial and third sector organisations to help achieve this goal which is vital for the future of the population of the UK.’
Jon Gisby, Director of Future Media & Technology, Channel 4
‘It is impossible to overestimate the impact that digital technologies have on our everyday lives, particularly how we engage and consume information and media. We are delighted to be part of the Consortium and believe that working as a group we can ensure that everybody has access to the opportunities offered by a multimedia world.’
David Wheeldon, Director of Public Affairs and Policy, BSkyB
‘Greater access to digital communications will play a major part in driving the UK’s economic performance in the coming years and will bring significant benefits to the whole of society. At Sky we are excited about the opportunities brought by the digital revolution and are working hard to ensure that customers not only get access to high-quality, great value services, but that they can do so easily and safely.’
That began with the launch of Race Online 2012 by the Government’s Champion for Digital Inclusion Martha Lane Fox earlier this week.
The BBC will launch its Online Access Forum at an event on 16th October and Ofcom will be supporting UK Online Centres’ Get Online Day on 23rd October.
The Consortium
Following the Government’s publication of the ‘Digital Britain’ report in June, it asked Ofcom to form and chair the Consortium which, at today’s launch, has over fifty members.
Ofcom Chairman Colette Bowe
They will contribute expertise and communications channels to promote Digital Participation.
Members include BT, the BBC, Channel 4 and BSkyB and membership is open to any organisation that can use its communication channels to inform and motivate people to become engaged with digital technologies or offer outreach to people who need support.
Online benefits
Stephen Timms, Minister for Digital Britain, said: ‘The benefits to being online – access to online health, financial, recruitment and communication services – can significantly enhance a person’s quality of life both economically and socially.
‘I am pleased to be part of the Consortium for the Promotion of Digital Participation which will lead this project to ensure all the UK can enjoy the benefits of the internet for a brighter digital future.’
Ofcom Partner for Content and Standards, Stewart Purvis, who chairs the Consortium said: “This is a great opportunity to really make a difference and it’s fantastic to have such enthusiastic support from our stakeholders. There is a lot to do to make it happen but we are all willing to give it a go.’
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