Knockback for BBC Local is a blow

BECTU has expressed its disappointment at the BBC Trust’s decision to reject plans for new BBC local news services on the web.

The Trust has confirmed its decision today, 21 November 2008.

The BBC’s proposal was intended to deliver better services to regional audiences who have experienced a fall-off in investment by the regional press and ITV’s steady withdrawal from regional news.

“BECTU believes that the BBC Trust has missed an opportunity to strengthen the BBC’s regional news via the web and in a way which would not have destabilised the regional newspaper business.

“On the contrary, the BBC’s investment would have encouraged regional newspapers to improve their content.” commented BECTU’s General Secretary, Gerry Morrissey.

“Once again, the audience is being forgotten as commercial interest groups lobby for position.” Gerry Morrissey continued.

Today’s announcement follows an examination of the proposal by the BBC Trust and Ofcom in what is known as a public value test [pdf].

The rejection of the proposal, which was set to create more than 130 jobs in the regions, - vital at this challenging time for the economy - will come as a blow to BBC staff, some of whom face the closure of their posts and who are interested in redeployment as an alternative to redundancy.

The rejection of the proposal means that more valuable skills may be lost to the industry.

BECTU, which, along with many other organisations, took part in the BBC Trust’s consultation, viewed the plan as a "natural extension" of the BBC's commitment to regional news, features and political coverage.

In its submission to the Trust, BECTU had urged the BBC to regard the new services "not as an easy add-on but as a whole-hearted bid to provide a new, exciting and current local video service alongside the impressive online coverage already available."

In light of today’s decision by the Trust, BECTU will want assurances that funds assigned to the project will remain available to regional news operations.

The union will be seeking a national level meeting with BBC management to discuss the way ahead.