MPs table Early Day Motion to save Asian Network and BBC 6Music
I spoke to Virendra Sharma MP last night and he said he was fully behind the campaign to save Asian Network. Today, an Early Day Motion is being tabled (technically, the earlier one is being revised) by the excellent Tom Watson MP and will be supported by Sharma and others, to save both radio stations.
That this House notes with deep concern recent newspaper speculation that the BBC is considering closing its 6 Music and Asian Network radio stations; believes that both radio stations offer outlets for independent and non-mainstream music; further notes that both 6 Music and Asian Network reach out to audiences not otherwise well served by the BBC; congratulates 6 Music and Asian Network for acting as a source of talent for the BBC and other media; recognises that the BBC has a duty to represent and give a platform to minority interests that need a mainstream platform to develop and grow; and calls on the Government to encourage the BBC to continue its support for 6 Music and Asian Network for many years to come.
There are also stories flying about with me named in them about Asian Network. I’m also working on a letter to be sent to BBC Trustees. Hopefully, will get tons of people to sign that.
38 Degrees have launched a petition against it too. IDeally, they need to get people to write to their MPs to support EDM 963.
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am listening to Absolute Radio (not my choice) and the presenter has just said “I don’t know what the Asian network is for, like all Asians from 18-year-old boy racers to retired old men are going to like the same thing” – his was wry humour, what is the BBC’s excuse?
like all Asians from 18-year-old boy racers to retired old men are going to like the same thing
It has a range of music and content. That’s like saying there’s no point to Radio 1 since it also caters for a broad expanse of young listeners who have different interests
The BBC Asian Network – Ten Reasons Why It Works
1. It’s exactly the right size. The BBC Asian Network is neither a cartel nor a community radio station. It’s big enough to reach the largest possible UK audience for Asian music, but not so big that competition can’t thrive beside it. As it is, the network can robustly deliver on the BBC’s Charter yet be flexible enough to scale its services professionally as resources wax and wane.
2. It brings you the world. The BBC Asian Network showcases the best in emerging music and culture from young British Asians. It’s the only place to hear contemporary Asian sounds alongside new and important music from across the UK and the world. The station’s unique approach puts Asian music in a British context, connecting listeners beyond their community.
3. It’s the best match of format and content. The structure and output of the BBC Asian Network has been developed and refined over more than a decade. It is a true network, grown from community roots by professional expertise. It continues to develop to meet public expectations. No brand or station created adhoc could better serve its listeners’ needs.
4. It stands for every flavour of Asian music. As a service, the BBC Asian Network is unique in representing music culture from across the whole of the Asian diaspora. The station’s output is genuinely accessible to all, reaching out beyond borders, faith and language groups, yet always sensitive to cultural preferences and divisive local issues.
5. It’s the flagship for British Asian media. The BBC Asian Network sprang from the energy and enterprise of British Asians who have been active in the UK media industry since the 1980s. Their spririt helps drive employment and expertise at home and generates overseas interest in the UK. The BBC Asian Network is the credible public gateway to this world.
6. It’s what the BBC stands for. Beyond fulfilling the letter of the BBC’s Charter, the Asian Network is authentic to its spirit. The station defines its UK Asian audience as an active British community, linking Asian interests with the whole. It’s where British news, sport, soaps and stars become ‘desi’.
7. It’s the UK’s gateway to Asia. The output of the BBC Asian Network is unique. The new music it plays distils the breadth and dynamism of British popular culture and the UK Asian experience. Britain is the birthplace of the ‘desi’ sound, and the BBC Asian Network is where Asia tunes in to it.
8. It’s the Radio One of Asian Music. The BBC Asian Network reaches an audience that transcends its target demographic. Thousands of listeners from across all the UK’s communities tune in, and all are made welcome. Professional. contemporary and accessible, the BBC Asian Network works for everyone.
9. It has the technology right. The BBC Asian Network uses the best delivery methods for its uniquely diverse audience demographic. It helps some communities to learn to let go of medium wave, while serving others through digital, web or iPlayer. No other station can meet the diverse needs and habits of the nation’s Asian community.
10. It makes new music happen. With live artist recording sessions and a presence at niche music events across the country, the BBC Asian Network is instrumental in getting new music and new artists recorded. By broadcasting and promoting the UK’s Melas helps makes them popular and accessible to all.
For someone who has been listening to the BBC Asian Network for many years– infact since its birth and who felt the end was coming is pleased to read they are considering its closure.
The closure is very welcome by myself despite there being protest from thousands (?) otherwise.
I think Sunny you know my views on the BBC and they are not without any evidence or bias.
I have warned Vijay Sharma directly of their mistakes in terms of the music they broadcast the bias of broadcasting, the contents of the broadcasting, the community they are neglecting and the generation they were neglecting. The religious disputes that have been many is another issue aside which plays but a small part in its closure.
The depreciation of numbers of listeners is due to a combination of these reasons and more. It can easily double its number of listeners if many changes are made. But they need good management structure which it sadly lacks.
I think there are far too many people crying to keep this network open who have no vested interest. Asking MPs to speak to save a radio programme they have never heard a days worth of programming is sadly a desperate attempt.
The management at the BBC should not listen to the views of these MPs (on this occasion) or other protest groups set up to save it for ‘name’ sake by signing some pre-planned and written letters copied from one source to the next but listen to the views from genuine listeners only.
There are far too many deep rooted issue to put down on paper here for discussion. I hope there are more honest listeners who will accept the proposal for closures (or changes I should say).