Concerns are been expressed for the survival of local radio stations targeted at people of colour, and staff at the BBC have reportedly stated they do not believe the broadcaster appreciates its black audiences.
Despite vowing to feature diverse content, concerns have been voiced that the BBC may decide to cancel its local radio programmes for Black and Asian listeners.
According to reports by staff members, namely BBC Three Counties radio personality Ed Adoo, the media powerhouse doesn’t values black listeners.
His comments come after BBC management announced plans to eliminate jobs at local BBC radio stations in England, according to The Voice Online. The endeavour is being billed as one of the “biggest changes” coming to local radio.
Meanwhile, black employees at the media outlet are concerned that the broadcaster would target shows aimed at African, Caribbean, and Asian audiences.
Adoo expressed his concerns to The Voice, telling the outlet that he believed the BBC had “fallen short” of their “diversity” goals.
“I’ve always trusted the BBC to deliver for local audiences, in particular to the listeners of the African Caribbean and Asian shows,” Adoo said.
Adding, “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.”
He then continued by emphasizing how TV license payers fund the BBC and that they all have “a right to a voice.”
According to Edward, staff members were informed of the upcoming changes at a meeting, and they also voiced their worries about the change.
The BBC announced intentions to discontinue its Asian Network as a national service in March 2010. The announcement was met with backlash from the Asian community, with thousands signing a letter sent to the Guardian, pleading with them to save the network. As a result, the network reversed its course the following year.
Subsequently, the only black political talk show on radio or television in the UK, Dotun on Sunday, presented by Dotun Adebayo, was up for cancellation by the BBC in 2019.
The controversial move saw activist groups BAME Lawyers 4 Justice and BARACK UK respond by starting a petition. The petition demanded that the BBC increase its diversity programs for London’s black communities and bring back the presenter’s Sunday night show.
Once again, the BBC reversed its decision following backlash and Dotun on Sunday remained.
However, it appears the network is gearing up to not only axe shows aimed at Black and Asian audiences, but also to cut jobs. Also, there seems to be concerned about diversity in recruiting as well as dwindling variety in content.
Only 6% of the BBC’s Radio News senior leadership in the UK were persons of colour, according to a 2021 report from The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity. Across the BBC’s whole News and Current Affairs division, only 8% are people of colour.
The BBC said it was “committed to reflecting all communities in our output” and will “look at each programme on a case-by-case basis” in a statement given to The Voice.
The broadcaster also added, “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.
“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.”
Adding to their previous statement to the Mirror, a BBC representative stated: “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.”
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