ANDERSON SPEAKS OUT AT CELTIC FILM FESTIVAL

REGIONAL vibrancy and cultural diversity will play a central role in the future of TV and Radio programming, Broadcasting Minister, Janet Anderson, said to industry representatives in Cornwall.
Speaking at the 22nd Celtic Film and Television Festival in Truro, Janet Anderson reaffirmed the Government's commitment to regional broadcasting.
Anderson said: "The different regions and languages of the United Kingdom provide colour and energy and should continue to be tapped by broadcasters now and in the future. The needs of our diverse social and linguistic communities must also be met.
"Broadcasters are already alert to the need to serve all sections of their audience, and often do so with enthusiasm, innovation and creativity, we want to ensure that this continues.”
The Minister outlined the Government's proposals for maintaining regionality of broadcasting as published in the White Paper ‘A New Future for Communications’ published in December 2000.
"In future, public service broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV will be required to agree targets for regional production and programming with OFCOM. It will include targets for programmes produced in the regions for the regions, and programmes made regionally for national audiences. Current examples include ITV's Taggart which is made in Glasgow for national viewing and HTV's recent series ‘From Wales with Love’ made for its regional audience.
"These measures should ensure that the nations and regions of the UK are reflected not only to themselves, but to the country as a whole."
The recently published Creative Industries Mapping Document highlighted the growing recognition in the nations and regions of the importance of the creative industries to social inclusion and regeneration strategies. Film and television industries have a key contribution to make.
The Minister continued by outlining recent achievements and progress in regional programming.
Turning to radio, Anderson recognised its importance at a national and local level within the Celtic Nations. (CD)