BBC

My previous post about our imminent new website - and the subsequent comment about another local news site due to relaunch soon - brings me onto the subject of the BBC.

I've always welcomed the fact Croydon is a competitive news patch - it keeps people on their toes and makes the job more interesting.

But at the same time I've always had an issue with the BBC.

I share the view of most people in the industry about the corporation's plans to roll out 60 ultra-local news sites, offering all the services we and our rivals try to provide without having to worry about how they are going to make any money.

You can see the background to the story on the Press Gazette website here.

The main players in the UK media industry - Trinty, Northcliffe, Newsquest et al - believe the BBC will completely skew the playing field if its Board of Governors approves such a huge expenditure.

From my own time at the BBC I know, despite its claims to the contrary, it's absolutely AWASH with cash. Just look at how many staff they've got at Euro 2008.

And don't get me started on the chauffeur-driven limos they provide for staff working unsocial hours. Even if I didn't say no at the time.

What I do know is that if every household in Croydon was forced to give me £139.50 each year regardless of whether or not they wanted the Advertiser I'd be able to create a bloody fantastic website.

I realise this is the kind of argument unlikely to win the hearts and minds of readers, but I really don't think the BBC's remit should be to attempt to crush traditional local media.

Still on the subject of the BBC, I've got a story I've been itching to post for ages now.

It involves somebody pressing the wrong button on the day of the Queen Mother's death and briefly broadcasting the wrong pre-prepared obituary to the nation. And when it comes to public figures, the one accidentally killed off was as big as they come.

I'll open a right can of worms if I say any more, but maybe I'll Twitter it instead...