80 MPs have signed a Commons motion asking the Government to introduce a new network of local TV channels on Freeview and cable, according to United for Local Television (ULTV).
ULTV's latest Early Day Motion calls on the Government to ensure: "all citizens have access to a dedicated channel on both Freeview and cable, providing local news, local discussion, community programming and local advertising."
The motion is sponsored by Austin Mitchell MP, the Labour member for Grimsby and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Media Group. Austin Mitchell MP said: "In September Ofcom issued a local media discussion document which said spectrum could be reserved for local TV. We think it is vital that the government and Ofcom now take action to ensure that there is a guaranteed space for the community on our television screens.
"It seems extraordinary to reserve six whole multiplexes for Freeview but not a single channel for local news and community programming. The support for my EDM demonstrates there is a strong feeling in Parliament that both the Government and Ofcom need to take a fresh look at the issues and, at the very least, allow a breathing space for some digital trials of local TV in the short-term" he added.
Marilyn Hyndman, a director of NvTv, the community channel for Belfast which is one of the leading members of the United for Local Television (ULTV) campaign said: "In our view, cost benefit analysis and consultation on local TV is long overdue. We believe that existing services such as NvTv can help Ofcom and government to review the policy options and hope they will engage constructively with us and our colleagues in United for Local Television to seek to route a path forward."
http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?id=3565
