Well known local broadcaster Paul Moulton will present the case for the establishment of ManxTV at Positive Action Group's (PAG)  first Public Meeting of 2012.

Last year the Department of Culture, Media and Sport set out  proposals to for a 'New Framework for Local TV in the UK'. As a result 20 'pioneer areas' are expected to get their own local TV stations.

It is anticipated that the scheme will later be extended to a further 24 areas, some with populations smaller*  than Isle of Man such as Limavardy in Northern Ireland and Bangor in Wales.

The BBC has allocated ?40 million for the scheme.

According to DCMS Minister Jeremy Hunt ‘New stations will provide local communities with programming relevant to their daily lives’.

Yet our government and Tynwald has meekly accepted that the Isle of Man will continue to be part of the BBC North West Region and will have to make do with the limited local coverage we currently receive.

Minister Phil Gawne , a member of the Select Committee of Tynwald on the Television Licence Fee, is highly critical of the Council of Ministers (CoMin) 'disappointing' latest recommendations - "The Isle of Man has reverted to type... (it) is not fighting the corner of the Manx licence fee payers".

Isn't this reminiscent of CoMin's response to the proposed UK cancellation of the Reciprocal Health Agreement in 2009?

Jersey and Guernsey get much greater local coverage via BBC Channel  Islands - 'delivered by a team of dedicated BBC video journalists'.  They also they have ITV's Channel Television.

Also contributing to the PAG debate will be Roger Watterson of Manx Radio and MHK Graham Cregeen, who was Chair of the Select Committee of Tynwald on the Television Licence Fee.

The Case for Manx TV
7.30 p.m. Monday 30th January 2012
A presentation by Paul Moulton
Manx Legion Hall, Douglas
Admission free - Open to ALL
www.positiveactiongroup.org

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