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Bob Geldof wants new TV service to include Ulster

Thursday, 5 November 2009

Bob Geldof

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Bob Geldof: Why was our regional TV bid not given a hearing?

Sir Bob Geldof has again called for Northern Ireland to be included in a pilot for a new news and current affairs service which is being set up in the rest of the UK.

Writing in today’s Belfast Telegraph, Sir Bob, head of digital media organisation Ten Alps, criticised the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee for not inviting representatives from the group to take part in talks to discuss the future of commercial news coverage in Northern Ireland yesterday.

He said his group, which includes Ten Alps, Independent News and Media and production company Below the Radar and which has bid to make regional news bulletins in the province, was “locked out” of the committee talks and only UTV was invited.

“You would think that the committee would at least want to investigate the options for the viewing public by hearing them at first-hand. But they did not,” Sir Bob said.

“The only potential bidders the MPs heard from in person were those who've already been providing the service for the past 50 years.”

The former pop star said the debate about who would be making future news bulletins in Northern Ireland was being stifled.

“Whether you back our bid to make Northern Ireland news and current affairs or not, it has to be seriously bizarre if the debate is being stifled and this isn't new,” he said.

“Earlier this year, the Digital Britain report simply erased Northern Ireland from the map. Few of the major issues in the local television production sector, identified by among others Screen Northern Ireland, were recognised, never mind addressed.

“Pilots for the new news and current affairs services are being set up for England, Scotland and Wales — but Northern Ireland is likely to end up with no pilot at all. Which would leave UTV free to continue as it is.”

However, Sir Patrick Cormack, chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs select committee, rejected allegations that anybody had been excluded from the committee talks.

“Sir Bob appears to be misinformed. No-one is locked out,” he said.

“The committee hasn't formally completed taking oral evidence and has received written evidence from Ten Alps/Belfast Telegraph and Screen Northern Ireland, which it has published, and which it will consider in writing its final report. It is happy to consider any points anyone wants to make.”

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While this may be to the fault of the committee for not inviting said people to have talks regarding this new scheme, more often than not, Northern Ireland is seen by the mainland as being a 1.6 million strong Amish community, considering half our commercials claim "not available in n. ireland".

Nothing new, here.

Posted by P Wilson | 05.11.09, 19:52 GMT

Good old Bob. At least someone is thinking of NI as it is typically ignored, especially by the London media - that is ,unless there's bad news.

Posted by Ed | 05.11.09, 18:53 GMT

If this is broadcast in Northern Ireland - I'm pretty sure Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan will be able to get it. So perhaps Ulster is correct here. What about use of the word 'Ulster' in loyalism? How do you square that circle? Do they see themselves as 'defenders' of Donegal too?

Posted by Ulsterman | 05.11.09, 18:04 GMT

Cormack is playing footlose with the truth.

As with everything else in NI UTV have a very cosy relationship with the authorities - the result is the pathetic status quo and no fear of 'rocking the boat'. If UTV were invited to meet with the authorities other bidders should have the same opportunity there is obvious bias.

Posted by MS | 05.11.09, 11:15 GMT

Writers at the BT have been employing the term "Ulster" a lot recently in relation to stories here in Northern Ireland.

Has there been a change in management there recently? Can person(s) not bring themselves to use the correct term "Northern Ireland"?

Dear oh dear.

Posted by Mc | 05.11.09, 10:55 GMT

With considerable justification I tend to suspect that those advocating more "current affairs" air time are really advocating more political propaganda broadcasting.

Posted by jock | 05.11.09, 10:55 GMT

El Sid

I take you point on the proper description, Ulster being Northern Ireland and also Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. However if you actuly read the articleagain more slowly you will find that Sir Bob Geldoff never actuall called us Ulster. In the first paragraph, he is quoted "Sir Bob Geldoff has again called for Northern Ireland to be included in a news pilot scheme". I think you will find that once again this is the BT using writer's licence with the article header, and they should know better.

Posted by paul simpson | 05.11.09, 10:27 GMT