Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
|Home
Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
This website has been partly paid for from the funds made available to every MP to assist them in communicating with and representing their constituents.
Printed and hosted by Pipex Communications UK Ltd, Humber Buildings, Humber Rd, Beeston, Notts, NG9 2ET. Published and promoted by Norman Baker MP, House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 1AA. The views expressed are those of Norman Baker, not of the service provider.
Local MP tables Commons’ motion to oppose loss of local news service
Norman Baker, Lib Dem MP for Lewes, has today tabled a House of Commons motion calling upon the Government to press Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, to refuse its approval for the merger of Meridian’s three regional news programmes.
Under proposals set out by ITV last month to axe a significant number of their regional newsrooms throughout the country, Sussex and Kent are amongst those set to lose their own dedicated local news service.
Mr Baker also opposed attempts by ITV to reduce the output of regional programming back in November 2004, and the decision to close Meridian’s television news studio in Maidstone the same year.
Speaking about the parliamentary motion, Norman said:
"Over recent years, ITV has persistently attempted to renege to on its commitments in an effort to save money. First there was the re-location of the Meridian Maidstone studio, then there was the decision to slash Meridian’s regional non-news output to a mere 1 ½ hours, and now it seems that the company is targeting its news programmes for spending cuts.
"It once again appears necessary to remind ITV that it is a public service broadcaster with privileged access to the airwaves, and that Meridian and other regional ITV companies made a firm undertaking to provide high quality, frequent regional programmes when they were awarded its franchise.
"This motion that I have tabled today clearly demands that the Government takes a stand against the perpetual dilution of Meridian’s responsibilities, and has cross-party support both from local and national MPs. We must insist that Meridian abides by its obligations under its charter commitments as a public service broadcaster."