Written by: Vic Motune
Celebs join battle to save local African and Caribbean programmes as MPs prepare to grill Beeb bosses
THE BBC is facing increasing pressure not to axe black local radio shows, as MPs gear up to grill Beeb bosses this morning (1st December).
Over 40 celebrities, academics, MPs and campaigners have signed an open letter calling on the public broadcaster to reject the cuts.
BBC bosses face a grilling by MPs on the culture and media committee, as furious black staff discussed the plans at an event organised by the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.
Famous figures who have signed the letter to the Beeb include actors David Harewood and Adrian Lester, MPs including Diane Abbott and Dawn Butler, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence (full list and letter below).
They are urging the BBC not to reduce broadcast hours, staff or production spend on these shows following the announcement of the cuts to local radio last month.
The action was coordinated by Black Equity Organisation, a powerful anti-racist group headed by Dame Vivian Hunt.
Earlier this month The Voice exclusively revealed the fears of black BBC production staff the corporation’s proposed budget cuts and reorganisation mean that African Caribbean and Asian programmes on local radio would be axed.
BEO said it was concerned about the “devastating impact” the cuts would have on black licence-fee payers who “rely on these programmes as vital sources of community news”.
It added that the “little black audiences have, is in danger of being taken away”.
The letter continued: “Unlike other communities, black people in Britain have no dedicated national broadcast channel with news, current affairs and topical issues specific to their lives.
“There are 1.9 million people of black heritage in the UK. In an average week, this audience only has two hours of dedicated programming, primarily from where they live via BBC Local radio.”
The black regional radio shows, broadcast every Sunday evening, discuss issues like sickle cell, the Windrush Scandal, as well as the broader issues of racism.
The coalition of MPs and celebrities say the BBC proposals are inconsistent with the corporations’ obligation to properly reflect Britain’s diverse communities.
There is also concern at the impact cuts would have on developing a black talent pipeline at the BBC, as the working on those shows have been a key route to get BBC contracts.
Media diversity campaigner Marcus Ryder was one of the speakers at a special panel debate called ‘BBC Local Radio Cuts – Could Diversity Be the Biggest Casualty?’, held at Birmingham City University (BCU).
He told The Voice: “This shouldn’t just be about avoiding cuts. This should be an opportunity to start a dialogue with diverse audiences, to engage in some fresh thinking about how best it reflects these diverse audiences.
“Viewing and listening habits are changing so we need a discussion about what serving these audiences look like in a changing media landscape.”
Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC’s director of nations, and Jason Horton, acting director of BBC England, will appear before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport parliamentary select committee at 10am this morning.
BBC insiders have revealed that bosses want to take the Sunday evening regional black ‘magazine’ shows off air and replace them with a single programme on the digital App, BBC Sounds.
As well as fighting the plans, many commentators are questioning whether the BBC sees racial diversity as a priority, despite the BBC Charter enshrining this as one of their goals.
The BBC has admitted that it lags behind other broadcasters in ‘BAME’ (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) viewer share.
For more than a century, the BBC has been hailed as the national institution that plays a key role in shaping and reflecting the identity of Britons through its broadcasting.
But it has also been criticised for failing to accurately portray the lives of black communities who have helped build and shape our multicultural society.
Before the 1990s, BBC shows rarely addressed the experiences of minorities unless it was to highlight racial tensions.
This was the context in which shows like Black Britain, The Real McCoy, and Blouse and Skirt were created to increase the representation of people of colour on BBC programming.
However these communities remain an underserved audience.
Despite record numbers of major broadcasters including the BBC making public pledges to increase diversity following the Black Lives Matter demonstrations of 2020, it now seems as though these commitments have slid to the bottom of the agenda.
Ed Adoo, who presents the African Caribbean show on BBC Three Counties told The Voice: “We had a meeting with bosses and were told that the BBC is committed to these shows but we have no idea what form or structure this commitment will take. We’re still waiting to hear.”
He continued: “I’ve always trusted the BBC to deliver for local audiences, in particular to the listeners of the African Caribbean and Asian shows. However I feel the BBC has really fallen short of its mantra on diversity. These shows are the only platform for black and Asian communities on BBC Local Radio.
“The shows feature important stories about the Windrush for example, sickle cell or the Luton or Northampton carnivals, incredible stories which may not necessarily get shared on the mainstream daytime outputs.
“The BBC is a public service broadcaster, its output is funded by the licence fee payers and these audiences have a right to a voice.
“It just feels like the BBC hasn’t really truly valued African Caribbean and Asian programming on local radio. If they did, they would have consulted with these audiences.”
BBC insiders and media industry commentators say the planned cuts will worsen an existing lack of diversity among BBC radio staff.
A 2021 report from The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity provided a damning indictment of ethnic representation in BBC local radio newsrooms which are meant to serve communities across the country.
The report, called Diversity of Senior Leaders in BBC Radio News found that only six percent of the BBC’s Radio News senior leadership across the UK Nations are people of colour and only 8 per cent across its entire News and Current Affairs division.
Earlier this year the BBC was accused of failing to tackle a negative culture towards black staff after its latest Equality and Diversity report revealed that there was not a single black person employed in a leadership role in the corporation’s production sector for a second year running.
Former BBC London presenter Henry Bonsu told The Voice: “I would be concerned as somebody who used to broadcast on BBC London. I remember the landmark BBC report People and Programmes from 1996, which led to the setting up of a lot of these diverse programmes around the country. It found that BBC local radio had almost no black audience.
“These programmes helped to turn that around. It would be a shame if, at a time of heightened awareness of diversity, and all the promises that the BBC and other broadcasters have made post-George Floyd, the corporation were to roll back on these programmes.”
A BBC spokesperson told The Voice: “We are committed to reflecting all communities in our output. We’ll confirm programmes for the new schedules in due course.”
“We’re investing more in audio commissioning for community programmes, in particular, so the voices and programmes our audiences love and feel deeply connected to will be available to a wider audience on BBC Sounds.
“We are in direct conversations with everyone impacted by these proposals. We will look at each programme on a case-by-case basis. We always have the door open for future and existing talent.
“More broadly the BBC remains committed to reflecting and representing the diverse audiences it serves both on and off-air. Latest figures show more Black, Asian and ethnic minority staff are joining the BBC, than leaving, as published in the BBC’s Equality Information Report.”
Asked as to whether or not the BBC had a firm commitment to keeping the shows, the spokesperson said: “It is incorrect to report that we are ending all of our Black and Asian community programmes.
“We have outlined proposals for our weekend and afternoon schedules and are currently consulting with staff about this. We hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to representation of all backgrounds and diversity is a priority for us.”
To: Director-General of the BBC – Tim Davie
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BBC – Richard Sharp
Dear Tim and Richard,
We are writing to you from the Black Equity Organisation, the UK’s national Black civil rights organisation, which launched earlier this year to advocate for Black communities in Britain and to work towards dismantling systemic racism.
Following news stories about the proposed cuts to BBC Local Radio, we, along with the other signatories to this letter, are concerned about the devastating impact this will have on Black and Asian programmes and the licence fee payers who rely on these programmes as vital sources of community news.
Unlike other communities, Black people in Britain have no dedicated national broadcast channel with news, current affairs and topical issues specific to their lives. There are 3.2 million people of Black heritage in the UK. In an average week, this audience only has 2 hours of dedicated programming, primarily from where they live via BBC Local radio.
By contrast, BBC Alba, a channel that caters to the Gaelic community and speakers, broadcasts daily for up to 7 hours to an audience of around 57,000. And yet there is no suggestion of any cuts to its budget. We are not saying there should be, but it is important to highlight this worrying discrepancy.
It is of extreme concern that the little Black audiences have, is in danger of being taken away.
As you will be aware, under clause 14 of the BBC Charter, the organisation has a responsibility to “reflect the diverse communities of the whole of the United Kingdom in the content of its output” and “ensure that its output and services overall…represent…the diverse communities of the whole of the United Kingdom” and finally, “The BBC must ensure that it meets the needs of the diverse communities of the whole of the United Kingdom.”
To this end, the proposed cuts could seem questionable as BBC Local radio stations across the country play a vital role in ethnic community engagement. The BBC’s own Radio Commissioning says that the majority of the audience for BBC Local Radio is over 50, which is the station’s stated target audience. We know that during the Covid crisis, they were a key source of information, particularly for ethnic minority audiences who were hesitant to take the vaccine. There have also been forums to discuss health issues such as sickle cell, which affects Black people in particular, and the Windrush Scandal, as well as the broader issues of race and racism.
We all know the importance of communities hearing from voices they trust and, up until now, Black and Asian local audiences have had the opportunity of listening to trusted journalists such as Devon Daley, Karen Gabay, Bridgitte Tetteh and Edward Adoo, among others.
For these older audiences, we know that these radio shows, presenters and producers are a lifeline for people in our communities. Many have the radio in the background and it’s part of their daily lives. Older licence fee payers who rely on these local stations and their Black and Asian shows love the content, including the specialist music – now face being sidelined. Trying to drive these audiences online isn’t feasible. Podcasts don’t bind communities together in the same way as linear radio and they are not as agile.
How do these changes fit with the BBC’s responsibility to ensure that its output and services represent and meet the needs of the diverse communities of the United Kingdom?
As well as providing trusted voices, BBC Local radio also offers an opportunity for grassroots organisations who rely on them to share essential news that impacts the lives of local audiences. The stations are a vital way for local MPs to communicate key local issues that won’t get attention any other way. At a time when regional newspapers and even special ethnic press are facing challenges, it’s clear that now, more than ever, BBC Local programmes that serve diverse audiences must remain a part of the broadcaster’s offering.
Additionally, we have concerns about the BBC’s commitment to its stated diversity targets. These changes to programmes and personnel will be a blow to Black and Asian talent both on and off screen as many could lose their jobs, and this also impacts the talent pipeline. For many talented broadcasters and production staff, local radio has been a key route into the BBC, especially those from communities who don’t have a network or contacts to get them through the door.
In conclusion, we ask that:
The current provision of local radio news for Black and Asian communities is a vital part of the overall media ecosystem. Any cuts, even if applied equally across the BBC, would disproportionately impact Black media professionals and journalism across the UK.
While we recognise the need for the BBC to have the power to change the shape and offering of its programming, we believe that we must safeguard the provision of content for Black and Asian communities. For this to happen, we ask you reverse this wrong decision.
Yours sincerely,
The Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP
Amna Abdullatif, Co Funder Three Hijabis
Abdullah Afzal, Actor and Comedian
Mohammed Ali Aerosol, Founder Soul City Arts
Marcus Ryder, Head of External Consultancies, The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity
Shaista Aziz, Journalist, Comedian, writer and councillor for Oxford city
Salma Bi, BEM, Grass roots cricket champion and coach
Karen Blackett OBE, BEO Trustee
The Rt Hon the Lord Boateng PC DL
Mark Boisson, BEO Trustee
Professor Miranda K. Brawn, DEI campaigner & Professor at Oxford University
Dr. Kevin Brown, UK North Representative, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC)
Dawn Butler MP
Marsha De Cordova MP
Janet Daby MP
Professor Rajinder Dudrah, Brimingham School of Media
Yvonne Field, Founder/CEO The Ubele Initiative
Kulvinder Ghir, Actor
David Harewood, MBE, Actor
Misan Harriman, Chair of Southbank Centre
Lester Holloway, Editor, The Voice
Sunny Hundal, Journalist
Dame Vivian Hunt DBE, BEO Trustee
Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo, Community Activist
Jonaid Jilani, Media Manager, Islamic Relief UK
Shuiab Khan, Editor Asian Image
Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE
Adrian Lester OBE
Caroline Lucas MP
Jacqueline McKenzie, Partner & Head of Immigration, Leigh Day
Cllr Joe Naitta
Cllr Nathalie Nicholas
Kate Osamor MP
Taiwo Owatemi MP
Marvin J Rees, Mayor of Bristol
Asad Rehman, Director, War on Want
Mandu Reid, Leader of the Women’s Equality Party
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Elonka Soros, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant UK & Europe
Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of Woodford
Trustees of South Asian Heritage Month/Trust
Claudia Webbe MP
Firstly, it is concerning and disappointing so many notable African-heritage Subjects of His Majesty have put their names to this letter which opposes BBC Local Radio funding cuts.
To be clear, BBC Local Radio has been in steep decline for over a decade.
BBC Local Radio has been in decline for two reasons.
Firstly, BBC Local Radio hire youthful presenters, who turn every issue into mirth or infantile comments.
Secondly, BBC Local Radio have sacked its veteran Presenters, who had a good grasp of local affairs, local institutions and local people.
BBC Radio’s crusade to attract youthful listeners is the reason why BBC Radio is in terminal decline.
I stopped listening to BBC Radio Oxford when the only hour-long weekly programme aimed at His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects, was axed decades ago; and when the Caucasian-heritage veteran presenters were axed and replaced by youth and infantile men and women.
I sincerely wish all those notable African heritage Subjects would lend their names to my call to end BBC Radio Four’s clear, blatant and ostentatious disparity against His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects.
A BBC spokesperson told The Voice: “We are committed to reflecting all communities in our output.
I have never met an African-heritage men or women who have been informed and educated by listening BBC Local Radio broadcast.
His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects require a weekly, hour-long BBC Radio Four programme, edited and produced by genuine African-heritage Subjects, that discuss historical and current issues of importance and significance to His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects.
I cannot name a single investigative African-heritage reporter on BBC Radio Four.
The flagship BBC Radio Four Today Programme has two South Asian presenters, a Caucasian European convert to the Hebrew religion or Semitic Hebrew racial identity, and middle-class Caucasian men and women.
This selection gate-keep and interpret issues that often centres on subjects which involve African-heritage Subjects.
Not only is it inappropriate for these people to act as gatekeepers and interpreter of issues that impact on African-heritage people.
Why the clear disparity against African-heritage senior reporters and presenters on BBC Radio Four?
The notable African-heritage signatories ought to be far more concerned with correcting the apartheid like disparity at BBC Radio Four, against African heritage journalism and broadcast programmes.
To be clear, there is an Asian Network.
Caucasian European Converts to the Hebrew religion or Hebrew Semitic racial identity are heavily represented as BBC Executive Staff, senior reporter and contributors.
There is a clear absence of African-heritage reporters and programming on BBC Radio Four.
This disparity must not be tolerated by His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects.
BBC Radio Four has a disparity against Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Catholic and Protestant patriotic and working-class people; along with African-heritage people.
BBC Radio Four, and BBC Local Radio does not make programme for this vital and important demographic; and this is a contributing reason for the decline of BBC Radio broadcasting.
I would encourage all these notable African-heritage signatories to allow BBC Local Radio to die, as its passing will hardly be noticed by working-class and African-heritage Subjects of His Majesty.
I call on the African-heritage signatories to support my campaign for a weekly, hour-long BBC Radio Four programme that explores historical and contemporary issues of significance to His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects.
I sincerely believe the existence of this type of broadcast on BBC radio Four would have prevented over 60 of His Majesty’s Caribbean-heritage Subjects from being illegally exiled to the Caribbean in 2018.
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The Voice Newspaper is committed to celebrating black excellence, campaigning for positive change and informing the black community on important issues. Your financial contributions are essential to protect the future of the publication as we strive to help raise the profile of the black communities across the UK. Any size donation is welcome and we thank you for your continued support.
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