FUTURE OF LOCAL RADIO

Early day motion 436, tabled 10 December 2009 by John Grogan (Labour). Signed by 79 members.

That this House is concerned that the Digital Economy Bill in its present form will threaten the future of local radio by creating a two-tier radio industry in which over 100 local stations, that do not have a clear digital migration path, are consigned to an uncertain future on the analogue spectrum once digital switchover has occurred; notes that, with 46 million adults listening to the radio every week and only three per cent. of listeners expressing dissatisfaction with their present service, radio is thriving in its current form; requests the Government to protect the future of local radio by ensuring that where appropriate, all local radio stations have a viable digital migration path; and calls on the Government to address this before committing the industry to analogue switch-off.

Signatures by party: Labour 48, Liberal Democrat 15, Conservative 9, Independent 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.