MPs rally round ITV regions

An Early Day Motion in Parliament is calling for protection of regional ITV programming.
Tabled by MP John Grogan, the motion recommends that strong regulation should be introduced to ensure that ITV provides "substantial" regionally-produced programmes over a range of genres.
Coming just one day after the Communications Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons, the Early Day Motion (EDM) is being described as evidence of the growing concern that the government is planning to water down the public service obligations of commercial broadcasters.
BECTU have already condemned the Bill as a weak piece of legislation which could lead to the destruction of ITV's regional production base, and the end of serious local programming on the network. John Grogan's EDM also highlights the dangers of the relaxation of media ownership in the Bill, which would allow non-European companies to buy five, and possibly ITV itself at some time in the future.
Although EDMs are not normally put to a vote by MPs, they are often used to signal government about the feelings of backbenchers, and a long list of signatories would throw doubt on the regulatory clauses of the Communications Bill, which is due to be considered by a Commons Standing Committee over the next few weeks.
(GB)