Oxford Media Convention

I discovered a new condition at a convention this week. But it was not an event for  medics but media folk. And before you ask, no the condition was not foot-in-mouth disease! In fact it was RDS, Repetitive Debate Syndrome.

Andy Duncan, former Chief Executive of Channel Four came up with this at the Oxford Media Convention. Andy said the media sector was suffering “acute case of RDS – repetitive debate syndrome.” The idea that the same things get debated over and over again with no progress being made.

He did issue a serious warning saying that, “the UK’s creative industries could go backwards, despite economic recovery, unless they work together to face future challenges”

Other speakers at the event included Stephen Timms, Minister for Digital Britain. Two of the issues he raised in his speech where IP and New Business Models. While Jeremy Hunt, Shadow Culture Secretary said in his speech that “the creative industries are becoming as important to our economy as financial services.”

But the event was not all about politicians there panel sessions on a range of issues, including one the CI KTN director John Cass took part in. “Our digital future: can Britain’s digital infrastructure compete”

The Guardian blogged and reported from the event and various people fed into the Twitter feed at #OMC10