Jonathan Dimbleby's Kosovo journey was singled out for praise

It is the second year running that ITV has received such censure.

The report says the main daytime shows - Trisha, This Morning and Live Talk - "shared similar editorial interests".

Only two documentaries, Paying The Price - about the killing of the children of Iraq - and Jonathan Dimbleby's Kosovo Journey, could be considered "substantial documentary treatment of current international issue".

The report also criticised other documentary topics as being focused on "misbehaviour of one kind or another, crime being a central preoccupation".

The ITC also said it had expressed concerns to ITV during 2000 about the "quality and range" of the educational sections of This Morning.

ITV's main news programme Tonight with Trevor MacDonald was praised for its UK current affairs but the report noted that it was "much lighter" on international stories.

But ITV is not particularly perturbed by the criticisms.

A spokeswoman said that such a review was necessarily subjective.

MacDonald's Tonight has potential for more "strong and original" journalism

"In general terms we strive to maintain the range and diversity of our programme schedule in the fact of fierce competition," the spokeswoman said.

"While we note the concerns, this is only a review and as such is a matter of opinion."

Last year the ITC forced ITV to return its nightly news to a 2200 slot.

ITV's relaunched News at Ten has been a ratings success.

The network has been criticised in the past for its lack of commitment to current affairs as evidenced by axing programmes like World in Action and First Tuesday.