E/CN.4/1990/46 page 52 "Ownership of a licensed cable programme service "It has further been alleged that the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 also discriminates against religious people and groups by prohibiting them from owning a licence to provide a cable programme service. "United Kingdom response "1. Under provisions in the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984, religious groups may not hold a licence to provide a cable programme service. The Cable Authority which was established by the 1984 Act is responsible for the issue of licences to organizations which propose to distribute cable programme services. The Authority is required under the Act to do all that it can to ensure that a body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a religious nature does not become the operator of a licensed cable system. "2, The reason for this provision is that the licence holder has a monopoly of cable distribution in a given area. It does not prevent a licensed cable operator from offering religious programmes or a religious channel on his cable system should he wish to do so. "3. The provision is intended to ensure that extremist groups are not able to acquire a cable television service and use it to proselytize a particular religious viewpoint in a way which many people would consider offensive or harmful. It is the Government's view that this restriction is necessary in order to respect the rights of others and that it is consistent with the permitted restrictions set out in article 19.3 of the International Covenant. "Future United Kingdom broadcasting legislation "It is also alleged that future broadcasting legislation will prevent owners and licence holders from expressing their own views and opinions on religious matters and will disqualify bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a religious nature from holding any ITC licence. "United Kingdom response "1. Under the proposed new legislation, the Government attaches great importance to ensuring that television continues to be subject to rules designed to prevent its power and influence from being abused. The Government has no wish to prohibit or unnecessarily impede the development of religious broadcasting, and believes that the following proposals are not inconsistent with articles 18 and 19 of the International Covenant. "2. As regards programme content, there is no suggestion that TV and radio stations should not be permitted to broadcast programmes on religious matters. But religious programmes deal with matters about which many people feel extremely deeply. Throughout the history of broadcasting in the United Kingdom it has been considered important that religious broadcasting should be carried out in a way which was responsible and not open to abuse. The Government considers, therefore,