FUTURE OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA

Motion Text

That this House notes with concern the difficulties being experienced by local and regional media operators, particularly following the collapse of advertising revenues as a consequence of the economic downturn; recognises the threat this poses to the provision of good quality local news and current affairs reporting through regional television, radio stations and local newspapers; and urges the Government to review product placement to help commercial operators and also look to top-slice funds currently given to the BBC into independent news outlets in order that healthy competition is maintained in the provision of news, current affairs and local information.