Viewers Voices To Be Heard In Belfast

Local media has an important role in the structure of the overall sector with the 'Value of localism - what's the case for local media?' being explored in Northern Ireland this week.
A Voice of the Listener & Viewer Seminar - supported by the regulator, Ofcom and the Centre for Media Research at the University of Ulster - takes place tomorrow, Wednesday 23 November (4.00 - 6.00pm) at the Belfast Campus.
As its starting point the event looks at Northern Ireland as the 'home of a range of lively local media'.
VLV said that the Belfast-based UTV is one of only two commercial TV companies still independent of ITV PLC (the other is Scottish Television, STV).
The 'Voice' related that BBC Northern Ireland's news coverage already has an award-winning record and that there are 21 local commercial and community radio stations on air in Northern Ireland -with nearly every small community having at least one local newspaper.
Indeed, on a recent visit to Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt, commented: "Local TV will contribute to growth in the creative industries, develop local journalism and help to bring communities together around a shared voice and interest.
"These new, local TV services will be a fundamental change in how people get information about their own communities, and how they hold their representatives to account," he added.
In contrast, more recently, the BBC announced major cuts in local radio services, arising from the Government imposed licence-fee freeze.
So the event will look at how much local media really does matter in this new scenario?
Now, this seminar - the first VLV event in Northern Ireland for 15 years - will discuss local media provision from a variety of perspectives - industry, regulatory, political, professional and educational.
Invited speakers include Dave Hyndman, Community Media Director of local TV station, NvTv; Mike Nesbitt, NI Assembly Member for Strangford and former UTV journalist; David Mahoney, Director of Content Policy, Ofcom; Maggie Swarbrick, Director, MA in Journalism, University of Ulster, and BBC broadcast journalist
Professor Pat Loughrey, former Controller, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Director, Nations and Regions from 2000 - 2009.
He is currently Warden of Goldsmiths College, University of London and a Visiting Professor at the School of Media, Film and Journalism, University of Ulster.
The event Chair will be John Rosborough, an award-winning radio producer and former radio executive, and member, Voice of the Listener & Viewer.
The Voice of the Listener & Viewer (VLV) represents the citizen and consumer interests in broadcasting, and speaks for listeners and viewers on the full range of broadcasting issues.
It uses independent expertise to champion quality and diversity, respond to consultations, produce policy briefings, conduct research and work for public service broadcasting that informs, educates and entertains.
The latest event is free but participants need to register their attendance. Linda Forbes at [email protected] or call 01474 338 711
(BMcC)