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Friday, November 21, 2008, 10:13
The plan has faced fierce opposition from newspaper publishers, including the Scunthorpe Telegraph's parent company Northcliffe Media, and from politicians including David Cameron.
They argued proposals would have damaged or killed off their own local online operations.
Announcing provisional conclusions on the Local Video service, the BBC Trust said the proposals did not meet criteria for offering value to the public, instead the corporation should focus on improving existing regional services.
Earlier this month, bosses of local newspaper companies told the Commons culture select committee local newspapers, which are already struggling in the difficult economic climate, would be further damaged by an 'out-of-control' BBC.
Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman of the BBC Trust, said while licence fee payers wanted better regional and local services from the BBC, the proposal to run 65 video websites was 'unlikely to achieve what they want.'
"We recognise the negative impact the local video proposition could have on commercial media services which are valued by the public and are already under pressure," Sir Michael added.
Newspaper Society director David Newell said: "We are pleased the BBC Trust and Ofcom have responded to the industry's concerns and rejected BBC Local Video plans for the time being.
"This is a proposal the BBC should never have made and would have severely reduced consumers' media choice and the rich tapestry of local news and information provision in the UK.
"We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to discuss the future roles of the BBC, BBC Trust and Ofcom and the current challenges facing regional and local media. We must be on our guard to ensure that the BBC is not allowed to expand its local services by alternative means."
Well done Tony Blair! You knew just when to resign as Prime Minister, leaving Gordon Brown in the mess you created. However, Brown is not without criticism.The next election I will vote for the Monster Raving Loony Party.
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