Hundreds more have been sent direct to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by supporters of the NUJ and the other organisations involved in the campaign.

The broadcasting unions say there are alternative ways to pay for local and regional news on commercial TV.

The campaign against so-called top-slicing has included a parliamentary lobby and meetings at party conferences.

The unions have proposed an alternative method of funding regional news - levies on hardware manufacturers or telecom and pay TV companies, all of which make money out of quality public service content without paying for it.

NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear and Broadcasting Organiser Sue Harris handed in the postcards at the DCMS headquarters in Cockspur Street, central London.

Sue said: “We have handed out these post cards at party conferences, broadcasting events, trade union meetings and even on the street.

“People understand that the BBC is good value for money and many have been prepared to send our postcards to the minister, Ben Bradshaw.”

Jeremy said: “There is a funding crisis for other public service broadcasters - for ITV for Channel 4 - they should be supported to protect excellent public service programming and to deliver quality local news.

“But contrary to the claims of government ministers there are alternatives to top slicing; alternatives to undermining the independence of the corporation and opening up the licence fee to be raided by future governments. Other options are there - but the government has refused to consider them.”

The unions are urging people who still have the protest post cards to send them to the minster as soon as possible. Anyone who wants more - to use themselves or to distribute in their community should email campaigns@nuj.org.uk .

• Please ask your MP to support an Early Day Motion about the BBC.

5 November 2009