'BBC cuts will be a disaster - people need local news coverage'

18 March 2023 , 18:49

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The BBC has announced cuts to local radio

I could go on about the Budget but why bother? Might as well just copy and paste from the last one. Well, maybe not the last one, which was its own kind of fiscal car-crash.

One of the Osborne ones, where they promised a rabbit out of the hat and you barely got a gerbil.

Lot of let-downs over childcare, money on booze, lots of nice stuff if you’re already loaded and nothing for the rest of us.

Strikes instead, then. Looks bad in France, here it seems like everyone was out and about this week – including local radio staff.

Which brings to mind Alan Partridge’s Mid Morning Matters, which gently, and often not so gently, pokes fun at local radio.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Alan Partridge outside the BBC headquarters in London (BBC)

Everyone I know is a big Partridge fan. The question “Can I have a second series?” pops up daily and I can’t hear Benjamin Netanyahu’s name without thinking: “Let it go Lynn, you’re never going to meet him...”

I’ve always had a soft spot for Mid Morning Matters as it also shows the absurdity, sweetness and importance of local radio.

I grew up with Radio Leeds. My gran had it on, neighbours phoned into it, there was Leeds Utd coverage. It was vital – and it still is.

Yet the BBC is putting it to the sword, replacing dedicated local programming with one-size fits all stuff that will be broadcast everywhere. There seems to be no business case for it. There’s the usual nonsense about concentrating on digital offerings, in denial of its importance to locals.

It’s cultural vandalism. Like the loss of post offices, banks, libraries. Decisions taken in big offices in London that ignore the needs of people and communities.

Not so long ago, someone high up in the criminal justice system told me the death of local news coverage disenfranchises people – democracy feels more alien and authority figures less accountable.

She even believes offending rates and the death of local news coverage are linked. She didn’t have the figures to back it up but I can kind of believe it.

It was good to see local radio staff, along with what looked like everyone else, on strike this week.

I didn’t like the medical staff’s pay deal but at least it shows things are going in the right direction. Public support is still behind train drivers, nurses, junior doctors, civil servants, journalists. Those who have decided enough is enough and have turned to strike action to finally make people listen.

In a demonstration of how far things have gone, Paris Hilton turned up at a BBC London picket line. Paris Hilton. I kid you not.

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So there you go: join a union, get your voice heard, meet Hollywood stars. Was there ever a better advert?

Keir Mudie