ITV regional news still underfunded

BECTU is strongly critical of ITV's revised proposal for Regional News which is published today.

In an attempt to fend off widespread condemnation from the viewing public, MPs and others, ITV have issued a modified proposal which purports to restore some of the cuts in local programming. However, as the new proposal makes clear, ITV still wish to save around £40 million from a budget of £100 million.

What they do not say, because they cannot, is how these additional regional programmes will be resourced. The new proposal still insists on nine regions which are still much too big. For example South West stretches from Lands End to Tewkesbury which are areas with very little in common as well as being five hours drive from each other. The new 'solution' is to have eighteen sub-regional services within the nine regions.

Assistant General Secretary Luke Crawley said "ITV still intend to make savage cuts of 40% in the budget for regional news so we do not believe this revised proposal will work any better than the first one. Regional viewers are being palmed off with a sub-standard news service. This latest proposal cuts the cake into finer slices but the fact is there is not enough cake."

BECTU has criticised ITV for running away from its public service obligations to make regional news programmes. We have lobbied MPs and OFCOM on this issue and have put forward counter-proposals for funding regional news including an increase in the number of minutes of advertising during regional news programmes or a levy on other commercial broadcasters who choose not to make or transmit regional or public service programmes.

General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said "ITV is guilty of sleight of hand as this does not address the criticisms we have made of their earlier plans. This latest proposal is still subject to approval by OFCOM and BECTU, alongside the other affected unions, will continue to lobby against these damaging cuts."