C
1
· 3
B. Views from Organisations, Association and Companies
The Government received one hundred and thirty-one submissions from the above category, broken down as follows:
Organisations Representing Trade, Commercial and Industrial Interests
12
Commercial and Industrial Companies
Commercial Broadcasters
Medical & Welfare Organisations
Political Associations & Interest Groups
Religious organisations
Academic Institutions
70
3
17
13
12
4
131
A petition signed by 5,900 individual tobacco retailers was also received.
2.
The following summary of views from organisations etc. is very provisional. Many of the submissions were very lengthy and closely argued, and in the short time available it has not been possible to summarise or analyse these arguments in any but the most rudimentary way. A more detailed study will be undertaken for the final report on public opinion.
3.
It deserves to be said that the range and quality of argument in many of these submissions was very impressive, and indicates the seriousness with which many addressed the BRB Report, as well as the commitment of many organisations to reflect the views of their constituents and to use in full the channels available for consultations.
On the Independent Public Broadcaster
4.
The majority of submissions supported in principle the creation of an independent broadcaster, which would improve the quality of television, enhance media independence in the long term and would pave the way for greater public participation in the broadcasting industry. A number of submissions argued that the public broadcaster's Board of