Up until 9am on Tuesday last week I had hoped that this blog would take the form of a simple review – a critique of my very first auditorium-based, seated Seth gig or a round up of the Cornish shenanigans at the ICA. But then I heard the news I had previously hoped was an over-exaggerated piece of scaremongering.
Yes, it’s true, in order to concentrate on ‘quality’ the BBC is to axe is 2 DAB only radio stations & cut back on its world-famous website. As a long-term supporter of the BBC – the young-reporter Club – the ‘Press Pack’ – sparked my desire to be a journalist & I’ve always nursed a dream to work for the corporation, I am devastated by the news, particularly as it seems the timing of the move is politically minded – caving to the pundits ahead of the, as yet unannounced, general election!
But whatever the reasons behind the decision, its effects will be felt accross the entire musical spectrum – and no, that isn’t hyperbole. Without wanting to bore you with the current state of music radio here in the UK, the 2 stations facing the boot – BBC 6 Music & the Asian Network – are 2 of the most innovative stations on the airways at the moment. Deliberately eschewing the mainstream hits propagated by independent radio stations across the country, the 2 stations cater for those listeners, myself included, who feel disenfranchised by mainstream radio – offering instead a national stage for artists who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to showcase their talent.
As much as a radio station can be mine, BBC 6 Music is my station. I see it as the aural equivalent of Word Magazine – intelligent life on Planet Rock. In the 8 years it has been broadcasting the station has become the flagship for the BBC Introducing scheme, offering unsigned acts a chance to be heard by millions . Consequently, the cuts not only mean the loss of hundreds of jobs, they also threaten the futures of thousands of unsigned bands who are already fighting to be heard in an over-saturated market.
Unlike commercial stations, the BBC, while obviously a competitor in the broadcast world, isn’t competing for advertising revenue. ‘Thanks to the unique way the BBC is funded’ their remit is first and foremost public service. Every job application I have ever filled in for the corporation has included at least one question on how my experiences demonstrate and understanding of diversity – it’s their buzzword of choice. Content produced or broadcast cannot be exclusive to certain demographics or overlook the voice of the minority. But now the Director General, Mark Thompson talks about silencing these 2 stations, whose raison d’être is to directly appeal to the diverse musical tastes of UK society.
The proposals have now entered a period of public consultation – a process I will sure to participate in – and the final decision lies with the BBC Trust, who I will also be contacting to voice my complaint.
Aunty Beeb, I love you and I have vociferously supported you to your critics, but to use these two stations as pawns in a political game is a mistake – the Conservatives haven’t won yet!
Thank you for patiently reading my rant. If you are in the UK please make your voice heard – I cannot stress enough what the closure of these two stations will do to the, already fragile, alternative music scene. And please let me know your thoughts on this whole debâcle.
Find out the latest on twitter using the #savebbc6music #saveaisiannetwork
Post by Mary Stokes - Meet Me
Located in the UK, music has been part of my life for a long time. I'm a classically trained violinist but have a wide range musical knowledge.
