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Have your say on local news - Scotland

018/10
3 February 2010

Issued on behalf of the Selection Panel for the Independently Funded News Consortia pilots

What do you think of your regional television news? Is there enough information about what’s happening where you live? Would you like more local stories online or on the radio? These are all questions that will be put to members of the public who come along to a meeting in Glasgow on Monday 8 February about the future of national and regional news in Scotland.

Given ITV’s decision to withdraw from regional news provision in the long term, the Government is planning to run three pilot schemes, one each in Wales, Scotland and Tyne Tees/Borders to try new ways of providing news at regional, local and hyperlocal level. The Government would fund a consortia of media companies to provide local news content across a number of different platforms, including the television slot currently occupied by ITV and STV regional news.

An independent panel of media experts, which will be selecting the winning bidders, is visiting Glasgow on Monday 8 February to discuss each of the bids in detail. To help them make a recommendation to Ministers as to who should run the Scottish pilot they will also hold a public meeting. This meeting will enable local people to hear from the two bidders competing to run the pilot and to put forward their own ideas and views.

Richard Hooper Chair of the independent selection panel said:

“The future of national, regional and local news across Scotland is extremely important. The planned public meeting in Glasgow gives people an opportunity to hear about the proposals and ask questions, and I would encourage as many people as possible to come along.”

The two consortia bidding for the Scottish pilot are:

  • The Scottish News Consortium (DC Thomson, Herald and Times Group, Johnston Press, Tinopolis);
  • The Scottish News Network (STV with ITN and Bauer Radio)

Similar events have already been held in Cardiff on 3 February and Newcastle on 5 February.  See the link below for details.

Notes to Editors

1. More information about the IFNC Pilots and the Selection Panel can be found on the DCMS website.

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 6052/6277
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751153
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6200

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