Last updated 05:42, Friday, 26 September 2008

THE sad but all too predictable news that Ofcom is to allow ITV to cut its local news programmes spells the end for Border TV.

We already have to strain our ears to catch any hint of a Cumbrian item on the north-east dominated BBC ‘local’ news programme.

The final terms and conditions of Ofcom’s ruling still have to be made clear, but it is difficult to see the new ITV version offering anything much better. The bulletin will come giftwrapped as Lookaround, but the Cumbrian content will be reduced.

Jobs will be lost in front of and behind the camera, as coverage of the county is downsized to a district office or a roving reporter.

It is sad to see Cumbria downgraded to and looked on as a second class area to the north east.

Politicians on both sides of the border have lobbied to save Lookaround, thousands have signed petitions on-line and on paper, on our own and even Facebook sites set up in the battle to save the county’s on-screen voice.

While the Cumberland News and its sister paper the News & Star remains the first place to look for local news, sport and views, losing a programme dedicated to the news and people of Cumbria is deplorable.

Ofcom is allowing ITV to put convenient commercial pressure ahead of duty to democracy and freedom of information.