Rejection of BBC video service welcomed (From Thisisdorset)

Rejection of BBC video service welcomed

8:10pm Friday 21st November 2008 in

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A BOURNEMOUTH civic leader has welcomed today’s decision by the BBC Trust to reject the corporation's plans to introduce a web-based local video service across the UK.

The trust reached its decision, seen as a major victory for the regional press, after conducting an inquiry into BBC management’s proposals to start producing local video on demand news.

Nick King, Bournemouth borough’s cabinet member for communications and Conservative candidate for parliament in Mid Dorset and North Poole, was among those who had written to the BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons.

After the trust announced its decision, Sir Michael said: “It is clear from the evidence that although licence fee payers want better regional and local services from the BBC, this proposal is unlikely to achieve what they want.

“We also recognise the negative impact that the local video proposition could have on commercial media services which are valued by the public and are already under pressure.

“We believe the BBC’s priority should be improving the quality of existing services. The public wants better-quality regional television news programmes.”

Cllr King had warned that the proposals could kill off local newspapers desperately trying to cope with a tough advertising climate.

He added: “TV is very poor in the UK, especially compared to the USA, and Conservatives want Ofcom to take all the steps it can to encourage the development of a genuinely local TV sector.

“Local newspaper groups would be ideal partners in any expansion of local TV in their areas and the result would be positive for local communities and local businesses alike.

“The BBC should not be allowed to spend licence fee payers’ money on plans that would threaten the excellent local news coverage provided by the Daily Echo.

“In an increasingly difficult advertising market, why should local newspapers have to face the additional threat of subsidised competition from the BBC?”