Cameron critical of BBC local plans

by Arif Durrani, mediaweek.co.uk 19-Nov-08, 11:10

LONDON - Tory leader David Cameron has attacked the way the BBC is regulated and called for it to be "restrained" in its plans to develop a range of local online news services.

Speaking to local newspaper representatives at the Newspaper Conference annual lunch yesterday, the leader of the Opposition acknowledged that when the BBC enters new markets, it was in danger of "crushing" commercial enterprises already investing in the area.

Cameron said: "...some of the things it's been doing online, its plans for video on demand, and some of what it's been doing in competition with local newspapers, those are the things where it should be restrained."

He added that his own party had already drawn up plans for a stronger public interest test to rein in the broadcaster's impact on other businesses, claiming the current function of the BBC Trust "doesn't make sense".

His comments come as many in the regional press fear the BBC's desire to expand its online local services will jeopardise their own online operations at a time when they face falling circulations and ad revenues.

The sector also believes the proposals represent unfair competition, since they will be funded by the licence fee.

Cameron called the role of regional newspapers "valuable in terms of the health of a combative democracy", and once again pledged his support for the decentralisation of government, and a fundamental shift in power to "local people".

He added: "That's why we will put in as much work as we can into a relationship with you because we think you're a valuable institution, in and of yourself, but also you're valuable in terms of the health of a combative democracy."

Labour media secretary Andy Burnham has publicly stressed that whether or not the plans go ahead rests with the BBC Trust, which represents the BBC licence fee payer.

The BBC Trust is set to publish its findings on the BBC's plans to provide video news services on 65 websites this Friday (21 November).

Comments

andy levis - 19/11/2008

I'm glad he's come out and said that these ventures should be stopped, why should I pay my licence fee towards something like regional services.?

Jeremy Lee - 19/11/2008

I don't think it should be 'restrained', it should be forbidden from this. And so should anyone interested in the pluarality of media provision as well as the future of commercial media, which provides jobs and revenue back to the Exchequer.