BP News

YOUR HELP NEEDED!

Although we run from day-to-day in our own little shell called the QMT we are part of the big entertainment industry and we are collectively under threat at the moment.

You are all aware of the introduction of digital television and switching off the old analogue frequencies over the next few years, well this is part of a larger plan. As part of the Digital Dividend Review, the authority in charge, OFCOM plans to sell at auction the frequencies the UK entertainment industry relies on to run the sound systems we currently use.

Can you imagine a West End or any theatre running without radio mikes or in-ear monitoring these days? Can you see an outdoor concert happening without security having walkie-talkies, or any club `bouncers’ not having radio communication? It will also impact heavily on program-makers as well. The consequences are frightening for the industry, worth millions to this country’s tourist economy alone, and the government is proceeding blindly into this situation. Even if a different frequency band were allocated for entertainment it would mean a re-fit of existing equipment in the order of £50 million pounds.

This could happen if the auction goes ahead, so it is important we act today.

The industry does not have one single voice to bid for these frequencies so it is obvious that it will land in the hands of the big players such as telecoms companies. Previously, the mobile phone 3G sell-off raised about £3 billion for the Treasury!

Although there is a petition on the 10 Downing Street website and it is useful as an indicator of public opinion, it is not the most effective action you personally take. Please do go on the No. 10 website and sign the partition by all means, but we ask you to complete the following action first and foremost.

I am assuming you have access to the Internet, which I know a lot of you have, but if you haven’t I can make the letter available in hard copy from the theatre box office or myself.

The most effective action is for your local MP to sign the Early Day Motion. If we can get 200 MPs to sign, the Government will really take notice. As far as I can see none of our local MPs (that is Peter Lilley, Barbara Follett or Oliver Heald) have not signed yet. The letter can be downloaded from www.plasa.org and amended and returned to your MP. Other support documents are listed there too.

If you want more technical and background information go to www.beirg.org.uk for the lobby organisation we have set up in the industry to co-ordinate the petitioning.

Please encourage anyone else you know to support this, particularly in other drama groups, musicians etc, as this is crucial to our future.

Sorry to be so wordy, but it is important to us all. If you want more information contact me through the usual channels.