Anne Main launches campaign against BBC website plans

Anne Main has today launched a campaign against BBC plans which could challenge the viability of local and regional newspapers.

Anne Main, MP for St Albans, has today launched a campaign against BBC plans which could challenge the viability of local and regional newspapers.

In October, the BBC has announced plans to launch 65 local video sites, designed to enhance regional and local services. However, many feel the proposals could force local newspapers out of business as the BBC is taxpayer funded and is not subject to the same commercial pressures.

Anne has launched an Early Day Motion on the subject, which she is encouraging other MPs to sign, and has also written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the BBC Controller responsible for the plans to voice her concerns.

Anne said:

"I am deeply concerned about the impact these proposals could have on our local media. In St Albans, we are lucky enough to have two well regarded local newspapers which both provide a high standard of local news and are viable financial concerns. However, all commercial enterprises need to make a profit and it seems unfair that the publicly-funded BBC intends to compete against them with taxpayers' money.

Having spoken to many MPs I know that many local newspapers are feeling very vulnerable and I think these plans could be very damaging for local media. I hope that Parliamentary colleagues will support my motion and urge the BBC to reconsider these plans."

Background:

Text of Anne's Early Day Motion:

EDM 2454

EXPANSION OF BBC LOCAL WEBSITES

Main, Anne

That this House notes BBC proposals to expand local news provision through 65 local video sites; further notes the benefits to local communities that commercial local news providers and their websites supply in reporting local news; recognises the tremendous work of local newspaper reporters and broadcasters in providing reports on local events and community groups; and is concerned that proposals by the BBC or any similarly unfairly state-funded competitor may challenge the viability of commercial local news providers.

Text of Anne's Letter to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:

Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH

11­th November 2008

Dear Secretary of State,

BBC plans for regional and local broadcasting

I have recently been contacted by the local newspapers which cover my constituency regarding the BBC's plans for regional and local news coverage, and specifically their plans to expand local websites by providing 65 local video websites.

As I am sure you can understand, these proposals are a real concern to the local newspapers in my area, and in many others. In St Albans, we are lucky enough to have two well regarded local newspapers, the Herts Advertiser and the St Albans Review, which both provide a high standard of local news and are currently viable financial concerns.

Whilst both newspapers are part of larger media groups, they provide a very local service, covering issues and news items very specific to St Albans and holding local authorities and the Government to account by identifying examples of where St Albans is doing well, and where it is being failed.

I am particularly concerned that, as the BBC is funded by the taxpayer through the licence fee, it is an unequal competitor to local newspapers who have to make a profit and are not in receipt of such a valuable financial subsidy. Many local newspapers struggle to survive, and those that have had to diversify by providing online content and selling advertising there. I am pleased to say that my local newspapers have done this very well and both run very successful and informative websites, but again an increased presence for a state-funded competitor may mean that these sites are no longer viable.

Whilst the local newspapers in my area do, of course, need to be financially viable, and as a result have a focus on providing a service people want in order to boost circulation, they also provide a key public-service role by promoting local community groups and supporting events. Examples of local community involvement include the Herts Advertiser's support of the Herts 10K Challenge, which has helped to raise a huge amount of money and promote the work of the Grove House Hospice, and the St Albans Review's sponsorship of the St Albans Retailer of the Year Awards, which recognises local shopkeepers and market-stall-holders for their contribution to the community. These are just two examples of the sterling work our local newspapers have done for the local community.

Whilst I do not doubt that the BBC could easily mirror the work done by local journalists, I am concerned at the impact the loss of our local newspapers could have and I would urge you to put pressure on the BBC to consider the impact of these proposals. Where viable local media exists, I do not see the argument for a state funded competition, especially as the BBC sites would have no need to make a profit like their private sector counterparts.

I would be very grateful if you could consider the contents of this letter and respond to my concerns about these proposals.

With best wishes,

Anne Main MP

Text of Anne's Letter to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:

Mr David Holdsworth
Acting Controller
English Regions
BBC
The Mailbox
Royal Mail Street
Birmingham B1 1RF

10th November 2008

Dear Mr Holdsworth,

BBC plans for regional and local broadcasting

Thank you for your recent letter regarding the BBC's plans for regional and local broadcasting. I am sure you will not be surprised to hear that I have recently been contacted by the local newspapers which cover my constituency regarding the plans, and specifically your plans to expand local websites by providing 65 local video websites.

As I am sure you can understand, these proposals are a real concern to the local newspapers in my area, and in many others. In St Albans, we are lucky enough to have two well regarded local newspapers, the Herts Advertiser and the St Albans Review, which both provide a high standard of local news and are currently viable financial concerns.

Whilst both newspapers are part of larger media groups, they provide a very local service, covering issues and news items very specific to St Albans and holding local authorities and the Government to account by identifying examples of where St Albans is doing well, and where it is being failed.

I am particularly concerned that, as the BBC is funded by the taxpayer through the licence fee, it is an unequal competitor to local newspapers who have to make a profit and are not in receipt of such a valuable financial subsidy. Many local newspapers struggle to survive, and those that have had to diversify by providing online content and selling advertising there. I am pleased to say that my local newspapers have done this very well and both run very successful and informative websites, but again an increased presence for a state-funded competitor may mean that these sites are no longer viable.

Whilst the local newspapers in my area do, of course, need to be financially viable, and as a result have a focus on providing a service people want in order to boost circulation, they also provide a key public-service role by promoting local community groups and supporting events. Examples of local community involvement include the Herts Advertiser's support of the Herts 10K Challenge, which has helped to raise a huge amount of money and promote the work of the Grove House Hospice, and the St Albans Review's sponsorship of the St Albans Retailer of the Year Awards, which recognises local shopkeepers and market-stall-holders for their contribution to the community. These are just two examples of the sterling work our local newspapers have done for the local community.

Whilst I do not doubt that the BBC could easily mirror the work done by local journalists, I am concerned at the impact the loss of our local newspapers could have and I would urge you to reconsider the impact of these proposals. Where viable local media exists, I do not see the argument for a state funded competition, especially as the BBC sites would have no need to make a profit like their private sector counterparts, and could provide its service free and without advertising.

With best wishes,

Anne Main MP"