BBC presenters step forward to save local broadcasting - public meeting in Nottingham

The meeting takes place at the New Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham on Wednesday 30th November at 7pm.

Presenters from BBC TV and radio have joined a campaign to stop cuts local BBC services. They'll be speaking out at a public meeting later this month, which is designed to highlight the effects of the budget savings being proposed by BBC bosses.

BBC Radio Nottingham presenter John Holmes will be speaking at the meeting at the New Mechanics on North Sherwood Street on Wednesday 30th November. He will be joined by East Midlands Today Political Editor John Hess.

Kevin Stanley, National Union of Journalists rep at BBC Nottingham, said : "We're urging viewers and listeners to get actively involved in the campaign to protect local BBC services. Under the proposals, a quarter of staff at BBC Radio Nottingham could lose their jobs. This would mean fewer staff to report on local issues and hold decision makers to account."

The meeting is being supported by the National Union of Journalists, which is urging people to take part in the BBC Trust's consultation on the cuts.

Kevin Stanley added, "BBC managers say that core journalism will be protected after these cuts, but with one in four staff going, we fear that quality will suffer. The BBC Trust - which controls how the Licence Fee is spent - has the power to stop these cuts. But it will only happen with strong support from the public.

The proposals include :

A shared afternoon programme for Local Radio stations across the East Midlands, just one programme for the whole of England between 7pm and 10pm and less local programming at weekends.

A 40% cut to the budget of the regional BBC One current affairs show Inside Out.

Axing TV and radio journalists who cover the East Midlands for the BBC News Channel and Radios 4 and Five Live.

The meeting takes place at the New Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham on Wednesday 30th November at 7pm. 

People can also follow the campaign on Twitter @NoNottsBBCCuts.

NottsTUC

http://www.nottstuc.org/2011/11/bbc-presenters-step-forward-to-save.html

National Union of Journalists

http://www.nuj.org.uk

NUJ balloting members at the BBC

http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=2293