Not only is this an affront to music an culture, Phil Jupitus called this decision

“an act of cultural vandalism, it’s also an affront to the memory of John Peel and a slap in the face to thousands of licence-payers.”

An that certainly sums up my feeling on this.

No to mention the fact that hundreds, possibly more, trade union members in the NUJ and BECTU might face the prospect of losing their jobs in order to appease the Tories, Rupert Murdoch and the Daily Mail.

So if you want to do something about this is there anything you can do? We yes actually. First of all there are a couple of petitions doing the rounds that you can sign, it only takes a couple of seconds and could really make a difference.

Avaaz.org Petition
Petition FM

Secondly you can call the BBC to complain on 03700 100 22, or the BBC Trust on 03700 103 100. At the end of the day pressure could get the BBC to effect an about turn.

Lastly, write to your MP via this site it is a powerful thing young voters writing to MP s because they so want to appeal to our demographic. Ask the to sign EMD 963 submitted by Tom Watson MP to defend 6 Music.

I took a lot of heat when I suggested that the RATM Xmas number 1 campaign was a phony war not really about quality music.

Well this campaign definitely is, so anyone who spend time and money getting Killing in the Name to Christmas number 1 really should take the time to try and save BBC 6 Music.

But I am totally dismayed to hear that the BBC trust is considering, as part of its review of BBC out put, the removal of amongst other things 6 Music*. I think this would be such a negative and retrograde step.

Whatever the threats of a Tory government in the pocket of Rupert Murdoch, the simple truth is that the BBC necessarily has to be a national institution. It has to cater for everyone. Now of course that does includes the middle class establishment who like Radio 4…

But it also includes young people, people who like new and different music. And it represents the most awful snobbishness on the part of those for whom BBC3 television and 6 Music are not intended to appeal to; to say:-

“I don’t like this, therefore the BBC should not do it”.

I support the licence fee, and I support public service broadcasting. And it is for this reason that I fear the BBC narrowing its target audience to a smaller demographic that News International and the Daily Mail approve of.

Because ultimately if the BBC does not cater for people outside that group, then it will undermine its reason for existence. The BBC charter, in its first sentence proudly proclaims:-

“To enrich people’s lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain.”

That for me sums up the BBC, that is why I love it, and that is why I support it. 6 Music is part of that ethos, providing a radio station I want to listen to is part of the BBC’s job.

So please, don’t buy into Rupert Murdoch’s self interested corporate agenda of attacking the BBC. We need to keep 6 Music, the BBC Internet output, BBC3, iPlayer. We need to defend the right of the BBC to exist. And as Trade Union activists we have a role to play in this.

And if you need more convincing about why we need to defend the BBC (and see what it really is Murdoch and the right want) then check out “Fox News” in America.

We have something great, and my view is lets keep it that way.

* Since writing this blog I have seen the report the BBC trust have done it is here http://bit.ly/cF5wll Whilst it does not call for the closure the neccesity to appeal to older listerners kinda misses the point. The BBC should be prepared to have unique output that appeals to certain demographics.