17. Letter from the Chairman of ITC to
Mr Norman Baker MP
MERIDIAN BROADCASTING LIMITED
Thank you for your letter of 26 November regarding
Meridian's plans for their operations in the South-East sub-region.
It is unfortunate that reports of their proposals implied that
they were effectively pulling their South-East news operation
entirely into Southampton. We have had detailed discussions with
Meridian's management and this is not the case.
Developments in technology and working practices
mean that it is legitimate for broadcasters to examine how they
deliver the requisite range and quality of programmes. Meridian
are moving to a new news centre in the Maidstone area and out
of their current premises in the next six to 12 months. They plan
to transfer the actual presentation. of the news along with some
production journalists to their main studio centre (also moving
to near Southampton). However we have been given detailed information
that the location reporting staff in the South-East will remain
at its present strength as will the camera teams. The regional
editor, news editor, programme producer and several other newsroom-based
journalists will also remain the sub-region. Meridian will also
maintain news bureaux and reporters in Brighton and Hastings to
service East Sussex.
Meridian have given us the necessary assurances
that the volume, quality and sub-regional focus of their news
service for the South-East will not be diminished. The new state-of-the-art
news centre in Maidstone will have a fully equipped newsroom and
mini-studio with two-way transmission lines for down-the4ine interviews,
edit equipment and be supported by a dedicated satellite links
truck to cover breaking stories and allow presentation from other
locations in the South-East. In these circumstances there is no
requirement for any licence variation.
I hope I have been able to reassure you that
although there are to be some changes in premises and employment
of staff these are in our view legitimate.
4 December 2003
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