Sir John Whittingdale MP spoke in the debate on the future of BBC Local Radio, to express his disappointment at the BBC’s decision to reduce funding for Local Radio services in order to provide further funding for online news.
BBC Radio Essex is highly valued by constituents in Maldon, as it provides a local service which no other station offers. It still has a significant audience, particularly amongst the elderly population who often cannot get out or are unable to access online media. The proposed merger of BBC Essex programming into a regional service covering 8 counties after 6.00pm and at weekends will significantly reduce local coverage.
Sir John said:
“Whilst it is not for MPs or for the Government to tell the BBC how to spend its money, I believe this decision is a mistake. Online news provision is already well supplied by many national papers and local news publishers who have gone digital. However, they face significant economic challenges which will be made greater by competition from the BBC . The BBC should be strengthening rather than reducing its local radio services which only it provides and I urge the BBC to think again”.
