Regional ITV news coverage disaster!!

In September 2007, ITV announced their plans for regional television centres. This message is written for consideration by viewers of ITV WestCountry but the same issues do apply to all sub-regions that will be affected.

There is a tendency for National News to be a bit 'Londoncentric' but due to the massive amount of world coverage it's not that obvious. But if the Plymouth Westcountry station was closed and our regional news came from Bristol what would you think if the lead story of your regional news was something like "Park Street closed for four hours after shop blaze" Plenty of video available so expect four minutes of stuff that is of no interest to us in Cornwall.

There is also the question of dilution. If the length of the 'local' news remains the same how can our area possibly get the coverage it does at the moment? Bristol area would extend from Tewksbury down to Lands End.

Of course it's admitted that the little Truro studio sub-sub-centre idea could be expanded a bit, we shall have to wait and see. But I wouldn't expect much and it could never replace the fully staffed centre in Plymouth.

It's a BAD idea and ITV should not be allowed to duck out of their public service responsibilities.

What can you do about it? First go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveITVnews/ and sign the No 10 online petition.

Then, write to OFCOM and your local MP. And anything else you can think of......