s 1 Constitution and functions Authority
(1) There shall be an authority, to be called the Independent Television Authority (in this Act referred to as “ the Authority”) which shall consist of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and such other members, not being less than five, as the Postmaster General may from time to time determine: Provided that unless and until the Postmaster General otherwise determines by notice in writing to the Authority, a copy of which shall be laid before each House of Parliament, the number of the said other members shall be eight. (2) The provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act (which relate to the appointment and remuneration of members of the Authority and to the procedure of and other similar matters concerning the Authority) shall have effect with respect to the Authority. (3) The function of the Authority shall be to provide, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and until 31st July 1976, television broadcasting services, additional to those of the British Broadcasting Corporation and of high quality, both as to the transmission and as to the matter transmitted, for so much of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands as may from time to time be reasonably practicable. E 4* (4) It shall be the duty of the Authority— (a) to provide the television broadcasting services as @ public service for disseminating information, education and entertainment ; (8) to ensure that the programmes broadcast by the Authority in each area maintain a high general standard in all respects, and in particular in respect of their content and quality, and a proper balance and wide range in their subject-matter, having regard both to the programmes as a whole and also to the days of the week on which, and the times of the day at which, the programmes are broadcast; and (c) to secure a wide showing for programmes of merit. (5) Without prejudice to the powers conferred on the Authority by this Act, the programmes broadcast by the Authority shall, so far as may be consistently with the observance of the requirements of this Act, be provided not by the Authority but by persons (hereafter in this Act referred to as “programme contractors”) who, under contracts with the Authority, have, in consideration of payments to the Authority and subject to the provisions of this Act, the right and the duty to provide programmes or parts of programmes to be broadcast by the Authority, which may include advertisements. (6) It is hereby declared that the Authority are not to be treated for the purposes of the enactments and rules of law relating to the privileges of the Crown as a body exercising functions on behalf of the Crown.