MP pleased BBC scrapped website plan

5:20pm Monday 1st December 2008

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WARRINGTON South MP Helen Southworth has given her backing to local newspapers after a controversial BBC plan was scrapped.

On Friday, the broadcasting giant shelved plans to launch 65 local video-news websites around the country.

Newspaper bosses say the plan, which would have cost £68million over four years, would have drive them out of business.

As part of her work on the media select committee, Mrs Southorth asked Mark Thompson, director general of the BBC, and Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust, how they would make sure the BBC played fair.

Sir Michael Lyons said that if the market impact was so severe that it was stronger than the public value gain, the BBC would not go ahead.

Mrs Southworth said: “Local newspapers and other media outlets play a vital role in our communities and I was concerned that the BBC’s plans, if they were given the go ahead, could push many local newspapers out of business.

“I sought assurances from the BBC that it would be scrupulously fair in its decision making and I am very pleased it has responded promptly.”