Thatcher Government And The Media

Question 1

1979

Answer 1

Thatcher becomes prime minister
Bernard Ingram appointed as chief press secretary

Question 2

1980

Answer 2

Broadcasting Act establishes channel 4

Question 3

1982

Answer 3

Launch of Chanel 4 and of satellite television breaks duopoly of ITV and BBC
Hunt report into provision of cable television
Government censorship of falklands conflict

Question 4

1984

Answer 4

Cable and broadcasting act: sets up the Cable authors
Miner’s strike

Question 5

1985

Answer 5

Peacock committee formed to investigate future funding arrangements for the BBC

Question 6

1986

Answer 6

Thatcher supports Rupert Murdoch moving to printing operations to Wapping, thus breaking a printers strike
Launch of British Satellite Broadcasting, the company was bought by Murdoch’s sky tv 1990

Question 7

1987

Answer 7

BBC forced to stop programming about Zircon spy satellite

Question 8

1988

Answer 8

Government ban on live interviews with members of IRA

Question 9

1989

Answer 9

Debates in the House of Commons televised for the first time
Sky tv begins satellite transmissions

Question 10

1990

Answer 10

Broadcasting Act: abolishes independent broadcasting authors, allowing expansion of satellite channels, causing shake up of the ITV franchise
The press complaints Commission sets up as self-regulatory body with Code of Conduct for journalists