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ATV Network talks media with Labour minister Sion Simon...  The BBC seems to be a hotbed for heated discussions and how the corporation is run is always under scrutiny. What are your plans for the BBC?
We are committed to a strong, vibrant, independent BBC. That means respecting the multi annual license fee settlement and not ripping up the BBC charter. The Tories were wrong to vote against the license fee increase last year and wrong to threaten to “rip up” the Charter. The next charter review will be the time to look at all the issues around the BBC, including role, scope, funding and governance.
Is it time for Channel 4 to become privatised and join the commercial sector fully? Absolutely not. Channel 4 plays a critical role in supporting public service content and providing an alternative to the BBC. The mix of popular and more challenging content, with the former helping to subsidise the latter, provides distinctive programming and caters for audiences the other broadcasters do not always reach. A purely commercial venture could not deliver this. Channel 4 is publicly owned and is a major commissioner of independent content. Through 4IP it is also extending its traditional reach into the online and multimedia world, which will be an increasingly significant platform for high quality content. That is why we make provisions in the Digital Economy Bill to update Channel 4’s functions, and clarify and strengthen the role Channel 4 should play in the provision of public service content in the digital age.
 We have the news consortia project in which bidders put forward how they can supply local news, is this something you would push forward for all regions?
Yes the plan is for independently funded news consortia to provide innovative sources of local news across the whole of the UK from 2013, once digital switchover is complete. Local and regional news is both valued by audiences and vital to our democracy. It is equally important that there is a plurality of providers – it cannot be right that only the BBC provides local news. Unless action is taken then regional news on ITV – already downgraded - will disappear. This government has proposals to retain and improve regional news on ITV. It is disappointing that the Tories have failed to back these plans and have advanced proposals which no one in the industry thinks credible.
STV and ITV have had a difficult relationship over the past few years, do you have any comments on how the issue should be resolved?
No.Since these are discussions between commercial companies it would not be appropriate for Government to comment.
 As it stands, television has to be impartial to the best of its abilities, would you welcome a change to spice up the TV landscape (Fox News for example) ?
No – we are absolutely clear that impartiality in news is non-negotiable. Ofcom research consistently shows that viewers trust television news and value impartiality. To jeopardise that trust by removing the rules on impartiality would have grave consequences for democracy.
The 2012 Olympic Games, are we on track for everything to be completed and will sport development continue in schools and communities afterwards? The Games are on time and on budget. Over 50 per cent of the building phase is complete with the main venues due to be finished in 2011. Already the structure of the Olympic Stadium is ready, the iconic wave shaped roof the Aquatics Centre in place and work is well underway on all the ‘Big Five’ permanent venues. The Government has invested unprecedented amounts of money in sport – with almost £800m going to improve sport in our schools and £480m for sports themselves to devise schemes to get more people active. Our investment in sport increased after we won the Olympics and we are totally committed to 2012 leaving lasting benefits, long after the last athletes have packed their bags and left for home.
Originally uploaded on Feb 2nd as an exclusive preview for our ATV Insider members. For further information on the ATV Insider scheme/to become an ATV Insider please click here >> ATV News would like to thank Sion Simon for taking part in the interview. ATV News Network does not endorse any comments posted below by our readers. Any comments deemed offensive will be removed by moderators. Our interviews with the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party will be available to read within the next few days. 
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An ATV Network News production for ATV Network Limited