self-fulfilling prophesy

So Grade says public dissatisfaction with ITV local news is 'inevitable'. The future is ulrta-local with rich content provided by specialists in the field. It doesn't matter that there will be no newsrooms within the locality. Viewers are flocking to ITV.com where professional content is waiting for them to enjoy. This is pure fantasy and reminds one of the ITV On Digital fiasco. As a statement of ITV's ambition, it will impress no-one. The ITV online strategy leaves much to be desired. In economic terms, the city have been promised a ten-fold increase in revenues how? no answer. When many companies, MSM or not, are struggling to make money out of the web, ITV's record is poor, friends re-united anyone? What about this rich content? Well at the moment ITV local has good material, how do we know this? Because it is made by the people that ITV wants to sack. ITN have secured the ITV contact - though after a year the contract is still unsigned. Could it be because ITN were promised access to all of ITV's local newsgathering operation, if that is cut in half how can ITN expect to cover the Nations,? They certainly don't have the resources to do it without ITV. Some more positive news sees an alliance between the three main PSB's to provide content on the web. The story taught me a new word: 'Frenemy'.

MP latest

Newsflash! More than 150 MPs now back campaign to Save ITV News. Letters have been flying back and forth between the ITV regions, MPs and the NUJ head office asking the parliamentarians to back our campaign. So far 161 MPS have said they do, with many offering help and support and writing to Ofcom and the DCMS on our behalf. Click here to see the google map which plots those who back the campaign.

Another pic

Another pic from the grand day out that was the NUJ's Nov 5th Day of Action. For the full photo extravaganza see here ...

Standing together

Around fifty people encircled the ITV truck in Plymouth city centre as part of the Nov 5th Day of Action. Linda Gilroy MP (Lab, Plymouth Sutton) pledged support and took a sheet of stickers to put on her HoC colleagues. There was good coverage in all the local press and the
BBC's Spotlight TV news ran a good length piece plus there was a package on ITV's own programme. Everyone there was heartened by the very strong affection people have for their local news services. You can read the Western Morning News coverage here.

Nov 5th is looming

Nov 5th is set to go with a bang across the ITV regions. Top secret plans involving banners, and the famous Gus Honeybun are being feverishly worked on. Watch out for the pics here next week....