McInnes warns of Dundee TV digital divide

9.00.00am GMT Fri 7th Mar 2008

North East Scotland MSP Alison McInnes has backed local calls for equality of access to freeview television stations after the 2010 analogue switch off.

Concerns were raised last month by Dundee Councillor Fraser Macpherson that the city would be left behind after it emerged that some areas of Dundee and its surroundings would receive only 22 of the planned 58 free to view stations.

Mrs McInnes commented: "It is essential that access to media is not reserved for the Central Belt. Some regional variation is inevitable, but it is unacceptable to deny so many TV stations to residents of a city such as Dundee."

According to Cllr Macpherson, many residents living in Charleston, the West End, City Centre and parts of Craigiebank and Brought Ferry will receive fewer channels than people who live in other parts of the city. This is because they are served by relay transmitters rather than the main Angus TV transmitter.

He said: "It is a particularly important issue for less affluent often elderly people who don't get Sky or Cable TV that they get all the free to air channels."

Mrs McInnes has also signed a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on the Westminster Government to allow local public service television in all areas. There are fears that licenses will only be granted for Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mrs McInnes added: "Residents of Dundee previously had access to the hugely popular local Channel 6. Its success indicates that there would be demand for a local television station for Dundee, and I have no doubt community based consortia would apply for such a licence. It simply requires political will to make it happen."

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