Press Release: Fighting for Local Newspapers

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KEVIN DAVIS JOINS FIGHT FOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

Conservatives call for halt to BBC local TV news plans

Kevin Davis has today pledged to support local newspapers from the threat posed by the BBC’s plans to start producing local video on demand news.

The Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Yeovil has written to the BBC Trust Chairman, Sir Michael Lyons, calling on the BBC Trust to reject the BBC’s proposal to spend £23 million a year on new local video on-demand services, which could kill off local newspapers desperately trying to cope with a tough advertising climate.

Conservatives have a much bolder vision for local newspapers, one which would enable them to invest in local TV. Local 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.

Kevin Davis argues that the BBC should not be allowed to spend licence fee payers money damaging existing local news services and stamping out fledgling competition in local television.

Kevin Davis said: “In an increasingly difficult advertising market why should local newspapers have to face the additional threat of subsidised competition from the BBC? I don’t think they should and I have written to the BBC Trust asking them to take a strong stance on this proposal.”

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Filed under Arts, General Interest, National Politics

Tags: BBC TRust, Conservative, Michael Lyons, Ofcom, Television licence