Trust Launches Review Of BBC News Channel And BBC Parliament

The BBC Trust has launched its service review of BBC Parliament and BBC News Channel, as part of its rolling programme of service reviews.
The review will look at the current performance of BBC Parliament and the News Channel - including the stations' quality, distinctiveness and value for money - and the BBC's future plans for the services.
There will be an eight-week period of consultation, which began on May 24, when the public will be able to give their views on these sources.
Patricia Hodgson, BBC Trustee, who is leading the review for the Trust, said: "News is at the very core of the BBC's public service mission, and the BBC plays an integral roe in fostering informed democratic debate in the UK.
"Over nine million viewers watch the News Channel's up-to-date coverage of local, UK and international events, every week; a further million tune into BBC Parliament. That means there are a lot of people out there with views on these channels and we want to heat what they think."
The review is a regular part of the Trust's work and is separate from the Delivering Quality First process, on which the Executive is due to submit formal proposals to the Trust later in the year.
The final report will be published in early 2012.
This is the Trust's tenth service review. The eighth, on BBC Wales, BBC Cmyru, BBC Scotland, nan Gaidheal and Radio Ulster/Foyle, is scheduled to report soon, and the review of 5 Live and 5 Live Extra is currently underway.
Previously the Trust has published service reviews of bbc.co.uk, the BBC's services for children, the BBC's services for young people, Radio 2 and 6 Music, Radio 3, 4 and 7, BBC TV services, Red Button and the BBCs on-demand offerings.
The consultation will be promoted on BBC Parliament and the BBC News Channel.
(KMcA/GK)