ed's website

I sent the following email to BBC Parliament (at parliament@bbc.co.uk ). I will post any reponse I get on the site.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to ask why the BBC Parliament channel is only broadcast at quarter size on digital terrestial (Freeview)? BBC Parliament is in my opinion the most important channel on Televison as it is essential for the enhancement of public understanding of the workings of our parliament. It is also important for the public to be exposed to the in-depth debate (compared to a lot of media coverage of Parliament) about the issues in the House of Commons and Lords.

In light of this, I am surpised that BBC Parliament is only broadcast at quarter size. The small size makes it difficult to read the graphics and text projected on screen, and makes it close to impossible to watch for those with poor eyesight.

According to the BBC Website [1], "The BBC exists to enrich people's lives with great programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain." BBC Parliament definitely informs and educates and often even entertains (like today's Prime Minister's Question Time). When will BBC Parliament be allocated the bandwidth it deserves and be broadcast at fullscreen?

I would be very interested to know what action you are taking to remedy this situation.

Yours Sincerely,

Edward Griffith-Jones
ed@acrewoods.net
12 Lenham Road East
Brighton
East Sussex
BN2 8AF

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/purpose/

While researching this brief letter, I found out (via the wikipedia entry) that according to the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB), viewing figures of BBC Parliament are close to zero! Take from that what you will.

I also found an insightful article by David Cameron that he published in the Guardian in 2002 outlining his thoughts about Prime Ministers Questions. Very interesting in light of his first PMQ's today as the new Tory Leader.