[cma-l] Fwd: Public meeting to be held in York on the future for local and regional media

[CMA-L]

-----Original Message-----

From: Culture, Media & Sport Committee (CMSCOM at parliament.uk)

Select Committee to hold public meeting in York on the future for
local and regional media on 1st July 2009

MPs on the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee are
holding a one-off public meeting in York on *Wednesday 1 July* to
discuss the future of local and regional newspapers, television and
radio. The event is part of the Committee's new inquiry into the
future of local and regional media - and is being held so MPs can hear
from the people of Yorkshire about how much local media matters to
them.

The Committee would like to invite anyone with a view on the
importance of local media to come along and join the discussion. The
event will take place between 18.00 and 19.30 at the Park Inn Hotel in
York (North Street, YO1 6JF) and will be hosted by ITV Calendar
presenter Christine Talbot. It is free to attend and there is no need
to book in advance.

The Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, John Whittingdale MP said:

"Traditional local and regional media is under threat in the digital
age. But what will it mean for communities if they lose their local
paper, radio station or regional news programmes?

Is the Internet really a satisfactory alternative? And does democracy
work if we don't get local news?

That's what we will be trying to find out on 1 July - if you've got a
view we would like to hear it."

The Committee is particularly interested in finding out:

* What benefits people derive from their local and regional
newspapers, radio stations and television programmes;
* The importance of local media to local democracy;
* The impact of newspaper or radio station closures on local
communities;
* The attractiveness or otherwise of the Internet as an
alternative source of local news and information.

The event is part of a two day fact-finding trip to Yorkshire that will
also see the Committee visit some of the region's key media outlets,
including the Yorkshire Post, Real Radio Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire.
The Committee will also hold a series of formal oral evidence sessions
in Westminster over the coming months, and will publish a report with
its findings which the Government must respond to.

The press are invited to attend, record, and report on the public
meeting (please contact the Committee Media Officer in advance if you
plan to film or record it). Interviews with the Select Committee Members
can be arranged in advance of the visit by prior arrangement (see Media
Enquiries below).

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Committee Membership is as follows:

Mr John Whittingdale (Chairman) (Con) (Maldon and East Chelmsford)
Janet Anderson (Lab) (Rossendale and Darwen) Alan Keen (Lab)
(Feltham and Heston)
Philip Davies (Con) (Shipley) Rosemary McKenna
(Lab) (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth & Kirkintilloch East)
Mr Nigel Evans (Con) (Ribble Valley) Adam Price (PC)
(Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Paul Farrelly (Lab) (Newcastle-under-Lyme) Mr Adrian
Sanders (Lib Dem) (Torbay)
Mr Mike Hall (Lab) (Weaver Vale) Helen Southworth
(Lab) (Warrington South)

Media Enquiries: Laura Humble, Media Officer, Tel 020 7219 2003 / 07917
488 489, e-mail: humblel at parliament.uk

Specific Committee Information: Tel 020 7219 6188, e-mail: cmscom at parliament.uk

Website: http://www.parliament.uk/cmscom

Watch committees and parliamentary debates online: http://www.parliamentlive.tv

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Community Media Association
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