Talks on fight to save Lookaround

A DELEGATION led by some of Cumbria’s most influential decision-makers is taking the fight to save Lookaround direct to ITV chiefs.

They will travel to London in July for crucial talks on the future of the flagship news magazine – threatened by ITV Border and Tyne Tees’ proposed news merger.

County council leader Tim Stoddard is to lead the party, which will meet ITV director of the regions Michael Jeremy for talks at the broadcaster’s London HQ.

Others in the party will include county council chief executive Peter Stybelski, Carlisle City Council leader Mike Mitchelson and chief executive Maggie Mooney, Copeland Council chief executive Liam Murphy and Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Graham Dow.

Local authority leaders from other parts of the Border region will also be in the party.

Mr Stoddard said: “We will be looking for answers on a number of issues that concern us about the proposal to merge Border with Tyne Tees. “We want to know why Border is being closed when it is still profitable, why rural areas are being marginalised, what guarantees are being given that a remote broadcasting centre can serve the needs of Cumbrians, and what the economic impact will be on local people and businesses?

“We also want to know how advanced ITV is in its proposed changes, given that the Ofcom review has not even happened yet.

“There’s already evidence of ITV making staff changes to suit the new proposed set-up even though it has not been given the green light to do anything.

“The answers that we get in London will help inform the answers we give when the next phase of Ofcom’s consultation begins in September.

“We still intend to fight this every step of the way and save Lookaround.”

ITV want to merge Border and Tyne Tees’ news operations as part of a radical nationwide overhaul aimed at saving £40m a year.

If approved, Lookaround will be replaced by a single bulletin covering the north east, Cumbria, southern Scotland and the Isle of Man. It would include mini ‘opt-out’ bulletins for Cumbria and southern Scotland.

But the proposals have been met with fierce opposition from the Carlisle-based station’s journalists, technical staff, politicians and viewers.

As well as concerns over jobs, opponents also fear the move would lead to the Border region being marginalised in favour of the North East – a claim denied by ITV.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom will have the final say on the proposals as part of a review into public service broadcasting, covering the likes of regional television.

The first phase of that review has just closed with a second phase due to begin in September. The fate of Lookaround is expected to be known by early next year.Strong arguments against the merger have already been made as part of the initial review.In its submission, the county council states the programme’s loss would have an adverse impact on the area’s identity.They believe that – even with the competition caused by the advent of digital television – that ITV could strike a more sensible balance to ensure that a more robust newsgathering presence could remain in the county to sustain the quality and variety of local content.

COURTESY NEWS AND STAR