ITV GRANADA AND POLITICAL COVERAGE

Early day motion 2119, tabled 21 July 2008 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 28 members.

That this House notes with concern the decision by ITV Granada to reduce its political coverage on regional television; recognises that plans include reducing the ITV regional political programme from a weekly programme to a monthly programme over a period of 10 months; further notes that this will not begin until after the Conference season, leaving regional viewers with no local perspective on the party conferences; highlights the fact that the decision taken by ITV executives comes before the verdict from Ofcom on public service licensing; and urges ITV to re-think its precipitate proposals and ensure that its political coverage is not diminished or sidelined in any way.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 5, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1.