Need My Local Radio – song released in support of BBC Local Radio
The NUJ is calling on all lovers of local radio to download Beldon Haigh’s protest song against the BBC's plans
Need My Local Radio is a tune of love and in support of the joys, value and place in the community of local radio – and a plea to the BBC to think again. The union is urging members and the 5.4m loyal local radio listenes to download the song.
The mass download is to take place on Monday 3 July, coinciding with a high-profile petition hand in at Downing Street.
Michelle Stanistreet will be presenting a petition with the National Federation of the Blind of the UK at Downing Street at 1pm on Monday 3 July. Blind and visually impaired people, along with a guide dog and various MPs, will be at the Prime Minister’s front door to hand in the petition signed by over 200 local groups, and more than 40 politicians.
The band came along to the NUJ’s picket line at New Broadcasting House, London, on Wednesday 7 June when journalists were on a 48-hour strike over the BBC’s plans to cut local radio output by almost half making many popular presenters redundant, cancelling shows, and forcing local stations to share content across larger regional areas.
The #KeepBBCLocalRadioLocal campaign has had huge support from MPs and councillors of all parties, charities, local organisations, a member of the Rolling Stones and the 5.4m loyal local radio listeners.
Beldon Haigh released the song on May 19 and on May 25 it was uploaded to BBC Introducing. All national and local BBC radio stations were contacted and asked to consider playing it.
“There are plenty of reasons for the BBC Radio stations to play a song, which is fundamental support of the work of their 39 grass roots local radio stations. This is important for our democracy, because while this song disagrees with current BBC strategy, at its heart, it is in fundamental support of the BBC and the work it continues to do so well. So why are they not playing it?,” asked the band.
A video of the picket-line performance has had more than 2,000 likes on YouTube.
The NUJ is asking all supporters of local radio to download the song on Monday. This will cost £1 – let’s get it into the charts. All profits generated from these downloads will be donated by Beldon Haigh to the National Federation of the Blind of the UK.
The NUJ is calling for the BBC to “pause and engage” on its disastrous plans for local radio.
Pic: Beldon Haigh at News Broadcasting House, London, perform with the pickets on the Wednesday 7 June strike day. Credit Mark Thomas