A Message to Auntie - Radio Ga Ga

Date: 03 March 2010 11:59:16

Yorkshireman has posted his heartfelt and articulate reaction to the BBC re the decision to cut BBC Six Music (and Asian Network). These are music stations provided by our state broadcaster giving particular coverage to alternative music and new talent and the Asian Community. My open e-mail to the trust is copied below. Note it concentrates on BBC Six Music because that is what I am a listener of.

To Whom it May Concern

I heard one of your spokesmen say on the news that one of the key justifications for cutting 6 Music was that not alot of listeners listen soley to 6 music. That is because many like myself listen to Radio Four for news, Radio one for our children and 6 Music for good new music and our tastes.Six Music may be a niche station but it's for a huge niche.

You have a duty as public service broadcasters to ensure that you provide value for money and provide services which other broadcasters might not be able to. This is one of the key things 6 Music does, particularly since this type of service has been cut back on within Radio One and there has been greater emphasis on specific slots for different types of music on different stations.

In terms of putting more into programming I understand you want to support news programmes and costume dramas but this should not be at the expense of the other area where the BBC has been at the forefront, the development of new music. If you go ahead with this plan you are contributing to the decline of the development of innovative forms of music, particularly that which crosses over genres and so may not fit the "Folk/Country" shows on Radio Two or "World Music" shows on Radio Three or "Indy" type shows on Radio One. The BBC has been great, since John Peel and beyond because it has developed music of different types rather than one sort. Radio Six music is the key vehicle for this.

Please reconsider,

Tractor Girl (obviously real name inserted).

Apologies, not sure what's happened about the fonts today, having looked at the original of this post. But if you too care about the distinctive public sector broadcasting in this country you can join the campaign by signing the petition, contacting the BBC / BBC Trust with your complaint or by engaging in other ways as Dan Bull has in this song and video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soGKRMb8p0U[/youtube]