1. Letter from Mr Julian Brazier MP to
the Chairman of ITC
I am writing because, like many of my constituents,
I am horrified at the threat to the news service at Meridian.
When Meridian was granted the franchise for our area, its plans
for the news service played an important part in the decision.
The news coverage at present is excellent, not least because it
is so heavily localised. Yet I understand that your Commission
is saying that the huge cut in provision, including the loss of
the local production and editorial team in Kent, a big downgrading
of the physical facilities and a threat to the jobs of many of
the journalists may go through without even a variation of licence.
I do hope that you will insist that this matter
is handled by your successors and not simply rubber-stamped by
your organisation in the last few weeks of its existence. The
news team from Meridian are popular in the county of Kent and
surrounding areas. The loss of our excellent, heavily localised,
news service would be a lasting blow to the region. Many thousands
of my constituents would be indebted to you if you could ensure
that these proposals receive a proper scrutiny before being allowed
to go through.
19 November 2003
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