74 page discussion document from Ofcom about the future of broadcast news. It is not a policy or proposals document. It 'examines the environment in which television news currently operates' and how that is changing.

Four specific areas of concern are highlighted: the plurality and diversity of news, the future of news in the nations and regions, disengagement from news by the young and ethnic minorities, and the continued relevance of impartiality guidelines.

It is optimistic that the all the main channels will continue to provide news after digital switchover - even without a regulatory requirement. Although they may not, it suggests, continue to do so for the nations and regions.

Impartiality, the paper says, 'may come to be seen as a possible hindrance to a truly diverse news supply and will... be increasingly difficult to enforce'.

News should remain part of the Channel 4 remit. ITV's commitment to news in the nations and regions may, its says, be the highest immediate regulatory priority.

Keywords: OFCOM, news, future, BBC