Question Time

Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport visited Edge Hill University to discuss the future of Britain in the digital age with Media students.

The MP for Leigh joined the University's Chancellor, Professor Tanya Byron, Professor in Film, Roger Shannon, and Head of Media, Carol Poole, on the Ormskirk Campus for the second time this year in a 'question and answer' session.

The Minister is involved in Digital Britain, the Government's report into Britain's digital information and communications sector alongside Peter Mandleson. The panel is chaired by Lord Stephen Carter and includes Professor Byron. It looks at issues raised by the growth of this sector, such as broadband access, intellectual property rights of artists in the online world and the regulation of content on the internet.

Andy Burnham was keen to hear the views of Edge Hill students, saying: "Everyone's perspective of media communications is informed by their age. Myself and the people on this panel were born in the 'analogue' age, while most of the students in this room will have grown up with online media as part of their lives, so their contribution to this debate is invaluable."

Speaking about the report, he said: "The media world is changing and it is important to ensure that this is serving the public interest.The internet offers us increased levels of information and influence which is a great thing, but we need to strike a balance of maintaining this empowering side while also protecting talent and children form harmful content."

On the subject of illegal downloading and how this should be policed online, he ruled out plans to criminalise those internet users who visit illegal sites, saying: "We would rather not operate a heavy-handed system of penalising internet users. There should be clear signposting in place that empowers people to make an informed choice about the sites they use.

"Artists' rights need to be protected online. In my view, it's unacceptable to expect to take someone's creativity for free. Most people would never dream of walking out of a shop without paying for a CD and this is just the same."

When asked about the availability of broadband in homes across the country, particularly of those from low-income families, he said: "Universal access to the internet is a key issue in Digital Britain. I am fully aware that economic background is a factor in accessing the internet and we are looking into ways of getting broadband into every home, perhaps as part of the digital television switchover."

Carol Poole, Head of Media, said: "We were delighted that the Secretary of State Andy Burnham decided to return to Edge Hill, who was obviously impressed with University and the Media Department when he visited in January.

"The question and answer session was both positive and useful for our students. It was an amazing opportunity for them to pose questions to the Minister and Professor Byron - two figures at the forefront of shaping the future of the digital industries in Britain."