Veteran broadcaster Fi Glover is the latest high profile voice to join the fight against the BBC’s planned cuts to local radio services.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Media Show in a clip that is now making the rounds of social media, the award-winning broadcaster referred to the cuts as bonkers.
The BBC has proposed that most local radio output will be shared during afternoons and evenings, with staffing in BBC England expected to be reduced by around 48 posts. The National Union of Journalists has called the proposals “the biggest threat to local radio since its launch in 1967.”
The corporation has countered that it wants the BBC’s service to increase digitally, however 5.7m people still listen to BBC local radio.
Glover began her career in local radio in 1993, including a stint at Radio Humberside, and has since presented shows on national TV and radio. She has won fellowship of the Radio Academy and been voted the ninth most powerful voice in radio by the Radio Times.
She recently left the BBC alongside Jane Garvey, the first voice heard on Radio 5 Live when it launched to launch their live afternoon show on Times Radio.
Glover’s word have now been saved to YouTube for prosperity in a video where she describes the plans as “bonkers,” Glover said we need to hear stories from the people around us and our local communities from a trusted source, otherwise something unpleasant could fill that void.
“There has never been a more important time in the dissemination of information to have a strong local news network. Once that part of the forest is cut down it won’t ever grow again,” she added.
