Grant Gibbons, the Minister of Economic Development, outlined plans this morning in Parliament for broadcasting and audiovisual media.

Dr Gibbons said he was in the process of evaluating policy options for the creation of “a new regulatory framework for broadcasting and, more generally, for the provision of audiovisual media services in Bermuda”.

Issues raised over the existing framework include the current regime being updated and not reflecting digital convergence; the fragmented state of the current regulatory regime governing services; the “uncertain” future of ove-the-air television in Bermuda; the limited availability of local television, especially for locals unable to subscribe to Cable, and the allocation of valuable radio spectra to broadcasting that “does not appear to be used efficiently”, Dr Gibbons said.

A round table was convened this week with “a cross section of the industry CEOs”, and will be televised on CITV.

A draft policy statement will be put out to public consultation, Dr Gibbons added.