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10/03/2023
SDLP 'Disappointed' After BBC Cuts Radio Foyle Breakfast Show To 30 Minutes
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has expressed "disappointment" at the BBC after its Radio Foyle breakfast show was cut to just 30 minutes.
However he said efforts to ensure Radio Foyle is properly resourced would continue.
The broadcaster has scaled back plans to cut programming and staff following a sustained campaign from people across L'Derry and the North West.
Mr Eastwood said: "When the BBC announced plans to gut BBC Radio Foyle earlier this year there was huge public outcry across Derry and the wider area and I am extremely proud of the grassroots campaign that emerged to prevent this important resource being ripped away from our city.
"As a result of people coming together to send a message to the BBC about their decision I am glad that we have been able to mitigate the worst of these cuts and prevent the loss of some jobs and programming at the station.
"Unfortunately, there will be significant disappointment across the region at the decisions announced today, particularly the shortening of the station’s popular breakfast show to just half an hour. The loss of three-quarters of the show will be keenly felt by both listeners and the Radio Foyle staff who work so hard to bring people local news.
"The campaign that was launched to save BBC Radio Foyle shows us what we can achieve when our community comes together and speaks out with one voice. The fight for Radio Foyle is far from over and the SDLP will continue to lobby the BBC to protect and expand services and jobs now and in the future."
However he said efforts to ensure Radio Foyle is properly resourced would continue.
The broadcaster has scaled back plans to cut programming and staff following a sustained campaign from people across L'Derry and the North West.
Mr Eastwood said: "When the BBC announced plans to gut BBC Radio Foyle earlier this year there was huge public outcry across Derry and the wider area and I am extremely proud of the grassroots campaign that emerged to prevent this important resource being ripped away from our city.
"As a result of people coming together to send a message to the BBC about their decision I am glad that we have been able to mitigate the worst of these cuts and prevent the loss of some jobs and programming at the station.
"Unfortunately, there will be significant disappointment across the region at the decisions announced today, particularly the shortening of the station’s popular breakfast show to just half an hour. The loss of three-quarters of the show will be keenly felt by both listeners and the Radio Foyle staff who work so hard to bring people local news.
"The campaign that was launched to save BBC Radio Foyle shows us what we can achieve when our community comes together and speaks out with one voice. The fight for Radio Foyle is far from over and the SDLP will continue to lobby the BBC to protect and expand services and jobs now and in the future."
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As BBC bosses rethink local radio cutbacks overall it has been reported that the watchdog BBC Trust's Chairman Lord Patten has a special place in his heart for NI. The former Stormont Minister and architect of the RUC's rebirth as the PSNI now has "concerns on proposed reductions in output or sharing of output in local radio".
BBC Radio Ulster 'Sheltered From Cuts'
As BBC bosses rethink local radio cutbacks overall it has been reported that the watchdog BBC Trust's Chairman Lord Patten has a special place in his heart for NI. The former Stormont Minister and architect of the RUC's rebirth as the PSNI now has "concerns on proposed reductions in output or sharing of output in local radio".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
