BBC considering cuts to Local Radio Programmes

Greetings earthlings! just when you've switched over to digital we are now going to scramble your brains with non stop five jabba jabba live on not so local radio!

Hiya,

I thought you might like to see this article from Saturday’s Cambridge Evening Newspaper (12/3/11)...

Keith Murray NUJ Cambridge Branch Chair

Email1: keith@murraysouthwell.plus.com

Cell: 07912-583638

BBC considering cuts to local radio programmes by Jack Grove


Replacing Radio Cambridgeshire programmes with Five Live shows
would be a "betrayal of listeners", a union leader has said.

Staff at the station’s Cambridge studios were said to be “outraged”
after they were briefed by managers yesterday about possible plans to axe many
local programmes.

Only the breakfast and drive-time shows would be produced in the
county, with output from national news and sport station BBC Five Live making up
the rest of the schedule, according to the National Union of Journalists
(NUJ).

It would mean the end of the popular Andie Harper Mid-Morning Show,
while other shows fronted by Sue Marchant, Liz Rhodes, Mandy Morton, Richard
Spendlove and Christopher South could be threatened.

The proposals would lead to the loss of 700 jobs nationwide as the
BBC looks to save more than £400 million following last year’s licence fee
freeze.

Keith Murray, chairman of the NUJ’s Cambridge branch, said: “We
understand the BBC is actively looking at these plans.

“Staff are obviously outraged these cuts are even being considered.
It is only an idea now, but an idea can become firm policy overnight if it is
not strongly opposed.

“Radio Cambridgeshire has an audience of about 140,000 listeners,
many of whom do not consume any other BBC service. It would be a betrayal of
them if almost all its locally produced programmes were axed.

“The BBC is often criticised for being too London-centric and not
connecting with its audience.
“This is what Radio Cambridgeshire does every
day and it is an invaluable service, especially in times of
emergency.

“Out of the £145 licence fee paid each year, local radio represents
only a few pence. It’s extraordinary they are looking to cut it.

“Other local stations have gone down this route and it has not been
a success.”

A BBC spokesman said: “No decisions have been made so it would be
wrong to speculate.
“It is, of course, only right that BBC staff have an
opportunity to input ideas about shaping the BBC’s future.”

He said the briefings were designed to provoke discussion among
staff about the way the BBC works.

“Any decisions coming out the process would be subject to approval
by the BBC Trust,” he added.

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