The BBC is used to being criticised by politicians of whatever political hue for a range of perceived misdemeanours – lack of political impartiality, poor editorial decisions, dumbing down programming, and wasting the license fee payments.
However, it remains one of the most cherished national institutions and is one that is respected around the world. At a local level, we are fortunate to benefit from the excellent output of BBC Norfolk. So, it is extremely disappointing that BBC executives have taken their axes to local radio stations and the localised programmes they provide. All this is being done on the justification that it will allow the BBC to improve digital content.
BBC Norfolk is an important part of our local community providing news, entertainment, and companionship to listeners in different communities across the Great Yarmouth constituency. Not all will be able to access new digital content or wish to do so in this format. Instead, they will see much of what they listen to watered down from a local point of view. We are used to BBC Norfolk dealing with county issues, putting local politicians on the spot, and covering news in Great Yarmouth.
Instead, we will see much of their output throughout the day lumped in with Cambridgeshire and even further away from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. I am sure discussions about road congestion in faraway Berkhamsted are fascinating, but they are irrelevant in Belton and Bradwell.
Over 147,000 people tune into BBC Radio Norfolk every week. They do so for that local connection, for local news, for local updates, and for interviews with local people. That local connection will be lost for much of the time when the county is lumped in with four other counties.
Following this week’s debate in the House of Commons, when unusually MPs from across the political divide were united in their opposition to the plan, I hope BBC Directors will understand the strength of public opinion and ditch the changes. It’s not too late to do so.
Please assist my campaign to reverse these damaging cuts by signing the petition below.