Events

Parliament reception marks new era for Creators’ Rights Alliance

Peter Seabrook and Mike Howes attend on the GWG's behalf	Lord Puttnam (second from left) with other delegates	David Ferguson addresses the meeting at the Houses of Parliament

Images: Judah Passow

 

A recent cross-party reception at the Houses of Parliament, organised by the Creators’ Rights Alliance (CRA) and hosted by Baroness Buscombe, Lords McNally and Puttnam, marked a new era for the CRA. The main emphasis of the event was to underline the relative merits of the BBC to the creative community in the UK. Guests included members from both Houses plus key people from DCMS, Ofcom, the BBC and representatives from the 16 CRA affiliated members - including Peter Seabrook and Mike Howes from the GWG - and event sponsors.

Since its launch, almost four years ago, the CRA has grown into a well-respected organisation whose views and opinions are frequently sought. CRA Chairman, David Ferguson, is regularly invited to talk at international conferences and attend top-level meetings. The CRA is also to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Inquiry into the BBC Charter Renewal on September 7, 2004.

Although some of the CRA affiliated members have on-going rights issues with the BBC it is a keen supporter of Charter Renewal for a myriad of reasons. These range from its commitment to diversity, training and reflecting different cultures through to its commissioning of new music and recognition of the importance of creators’ contributions and their work.

Lord Puttnam’s address highlighted how much he had leant on the CRA during his work on the Communications Bill. He then went on to say how the intellectual property business was economically better than the pharmaceutical industry.

In his speech David Ferguson explained the importance of the BBC to creators, the creative industries in the UK, and how vital it was to the UK economy to have a voice on the international stage. He then talked about the new era for the CRA, as it is eager to talk and co-operate with different organisations to achieve its aims.

The next stage for the CRA is to build public awareness and understanding of the relevance and need for a vibrant creative community in the UK and the role that creators’ rights play.

For further information contact Andrea Sanders-Reece on 020 7436 7296 or e-mail info@creatorsrights.org

For further information on the CRA visit the website