Hugh fights for Mid Kent Studios

MP FIGHTS FOR MERIDIAN STUDIOS IN MAIDSTONE

Hugh Robertson has written to Lindsay Charlton, Managing Director of Meridian Broadcasting Ltd to raise concern about the future of the Meridian Studios at Maidstone. Following a visit to the studios he attended an open meeting with the staff to hear their concerns.

At that meeting, a number of concerns were raised:-

1. Journalists relate to the area in which they live. Clearly Kent will suffer if the majority of journalists are based outside the county.

2. The creativity of journalists, and thus the success of Meridian’s programmes, is clearly enhanced by journalists working together. The new system will negate this.

3. Reporters cannot generate the same number of reports without the scale of backup that they enjoy at the moment.

4. The existing technology is nearing the end of its life cycle and has to be replaced anyway. This is, thus, largely a matter of necessity rather than an exciting new technological development.

5. The new technology promised for Kent is, as yet, unproven.

6. There appears to be some discrepancy over the figures for the number of staff totally devoted to Maidstone currently and under the proposed new system.

Hugh said: “Meridian has a group of loyal, motivated and capable staff that would be the envy of many local businesses. They run a hugely successful operation that is way ahead of the competition. I cannot remotely understand why anyone should wish to put this at risk.”