Independently Funded News Consortia
Encyclopedia
Independently Funded News Consortia (IFNC) were proposed as independently set-up groups providing local and regional news within various regions of the United Kingdom
. The structure was proposed by Ofcom
in January 2009 to respond to the reduction in provision of regional news programming by the existing Channel 3 license-holders, including ITV
. The consortia were to be formed of existing interested local parties, such as local newspaper groups and agencies.
In November 2009, the Culture Secretary announced pilots for provision of regional news programming via a number of IFNCs in the nations of Scotland
and Wales
, as well as in the English Channel 3 regions of ITV Tyne Tees & Border
. Some consortia had already expressed an interest in operating independent news provision in one of the pilot areas. Before the 2010 general election, the Department of Culture, Media and Sports had selected three consortia for Scotland, Wales and the Tyne Tees/Borders: Scottish News Consortium (consisting of Johnston Press, Herald and Times Group, D C Thomson, and Tinopolis), Wales Live (UTV and NWN Media), and News 3 (Trinity Mirror, Press Association, and Ten Alps) respectively. If the pilots had been successful, it was expected that a national roll-out in 2012-13 might be funded through use of part of the existing television licence fee.
The Conservatives opposed IFNCs, proposing instead to have city-based TV companies. In May 2010, following the establishment of a Conservative-Liberal Democrats governing coalition
, plans to establish IFNCs were dropped in favour of the rollout of "super fast broadband" to rural areas. On June 8th 2010, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed this change of priorities. The move was crticised in Wales by the Heritage Minister and the Institute of Welsh Affairs chair.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The structure was proposed by Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
in January 2009 to respond to the reduction in provision of regional news programming by the existing Channel 3 license-holders, including ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. The consortia were to be formed of existing interested local parties, such as local newspaper groups and agencies.
In November 2009, the Culture Secretary announced pilots for provision of regional news programming via a number of IFNCs in the nations of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, as well as in the English Channel 3 regions of ITV Tyne Tees & Border
ITV Tyne Tees & Border
ITV Tyne Tees & Border is a non-franchise ITV regional news service covering the North of England/Southern Scotland and incorporating the former ITV Tyne Tees and ITV Border regions...
. Some consortia had already expressed an interest in operating independent news provision in one of the pilot areas. Before the 2010 general election, the Department of Culture, Media and Sports had selected three consortia for Scotland, Wales and the Tyne Tees/Borders: Scottish News Consortium (consisting of Johnston Press, Herald and Times Group, D C Thomson, and Tinopolis), Wales Live (UTV and NWN Media), and News 3 (Trinity Mirror, Press Association, and Ten Alps) respectively. If the pilots had been successful, it was expected that a national roll-out in 2012-13 might be funded through use of part of the existing television licence fee.
The Conservatives opposed IFNCs, proposing instead to have city-based TV companies. In May 2010, following the establishment of a Conservative-Liberal Democrats governing coalition
Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement
The Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement was a policy document drawn up following the 2010 general election in the United Kingdom...
, plans to establish IFNCs were dropped in favour of the rollout of "super fast broadband" to rural areas. On June 8th 2010, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed this change of priorities. The move was crticised in Wales by the Heritage Minister and the Institute of Welsh Affairs chair.