University News Last updated 08 February 2011
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt visited the University to discuss the Government’s ambitious vision to deliver US-style local television to Birmingham and other cities.
Mr Hunt visited the University at Millennium Point to lead a roundtable discussion with University experts and influential figures in the region’s media community.
Professor Dan Howard, Executive Dean of Performance, Media and English (PME) and Dr Peter Rayson, Associate Dean from the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment (TEE) formally welcomed Mr Hunt to the University.
The pair then introduced Mr Hunt to delegates who shared their experiences and ideas about television working locally, at a city-level rather than regionally under new Government plans.
“Birmingham City University, with its reputation for innovation, is clearly becoming the natural choice as a place to explore new thinking,” said Peter Rayson.
The two University deans were joined by colleagues Phil Thickett, Head of the University’s School of Media and David Harte, Award Leader for the pioneering MA in Social Media.
Also invited to the roundtable was Mark Reeves, editor of online business magazine Business Desk, Debra Davis, Chief Executive of City TV, Phil Riley, owner of BRMB Radio and Orion Media, Jonnie Turpie MBE, Digital Media Director at Maverick TV, plus representatives from the Birmingham Mail and the city’s burgeoning blogging community.
- The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt is the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. For information about local TV visit www.culture.gov.uk/