Michael Grade

Executive Chairman of ITV

200 Grays Inn Road

London

WC1V 8HF

 

Dear Mr Grade,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to your recent announcement proposing drastic cuts to regional and local news programming.

I consider the move will signal the end of local news on ITV, leaving a regional structure with no relevance to local communities.

If approved the plans would also mean the effective withdrawal of ITV from its historic role as a public service broadcaster.

The regulator Ofcom is required to ‘maintain and strengthen’ public service broadcasting in the UK. ITV’s proposals would seriously reduce the quality and strength of local and regional programming, therefore I have written to Ofcom asking for your plans to be rejected.

I urge you to consider alternative proposals for the funding of regional news being tabled by the National Union of Journalists.

 

In the interests of the local community, please abandon your plans and ensure that my area is properly served with local news on ITV.

 

Please would you respond to these comments.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely

XXX