Hear all our voices
CUTS to local radio services by the BBC have been roundly criticised by former and current employees, the Government and listeners. The plans would see a cut in 48 jobs across local radio stations, as well as a significant reduction in the programming produced exclusively for specific stations.
‘From a journalist’s perspective, there are very few services tailored to local people, but BBC local radio is one,’ says David Harrison, former broadcast journalist at BBC Radio Humberside. ‘It’s a friendly companion for times such as covid and it’s a service for the community. It champions local music and the Arts, the daily ins and outs of your local sports club, covering local politics with a fine eye. It’s more than entertainment, it’s a genuine service for people. It’s one of the places where it’s all about communities where people live.’
Under the changes, all 39 local BBC stations will continue with their specific programming between the hours of 6am and 2pm on weekdays. After that time, the BBC will produce 18 afternoon programmes across England to be shared between stations. From 6pm–10pm on weekdays, on Saturdays and on Sunday mornings, 10 local programmes will be shared across England, serving areas broadly mirroring the existing local-television areas. The move will see some £19 million directed away from local radio and into online and multimedia production. Critics warn that
