Mayor urges public to continue to oppose Radio Foyle cuts

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy said the large numbers of people who attended the public meeting to oppose proposed cuts at BBC Radio Foyle, is testament to the level of support there is for the station and its staff.

 

Speaking following the public meeting held last night in the Guildhall which was organised by the NUJ and facilitated by the Mayor, Cllr Sandra Duffy said it was important to allow people to show their opposition to the proposed cuts at BBC Radio Foyle and to show solidarity and support to the staff.

 

She extended her heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended the meeting and said there was  a very strong and clear message that the people of Derry and the North West will do everything they can to oppose the cuts and retain all services and staff at the local station.

 

The Mayor confirmed that she has written to the BBC to express her deep concern at the proposed cuts to BBC Radio Foyle and expressed concern that the cuts could result in job losses the axing of a key flagship programme.

 

Mayor Duffy said the proposed cuts are causing huge worry and anxiety for the workers who learned that they will lose their jobs just weeks out from Christmas and during a cost-of-living crisis.

 

She said: “It will also have a hugely detrimental impact on the people of Derry who rely on this institution for local news and coverage. People in Derry and the North West are licence fee payers like everyone else and they are entitled to fair coverage for their money. The Breakfast Show is a flagship programme that has acted as an institution for the people of Derry and surrounding areas for many years. The announcement by the BBC has cast huge doubt on the future of BBC Radio Foyle, and I am asking for urgent reassurance that the station will be protected.”

 

Mayor Duffy said she is hopeful the huge level of support shown at the public meeting will indicate to the BBC chiefs the level of opposition to the cuts and the level of commitment there is from the people of the North West to oppose the cuts.

 

She encouraged people to sign the petition and to do all they can to put pressure on the BBC to immediately reconsider their decision, protect the jobs and to give certainty and reassurance to workers and their families.

 

You can sign the petition online at -.https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/save-bbc-radio-foyle-oppose-cuts-to-jobs-and-programmes?share=d23feaf6-bc89-45a9-ba01-3b64fd7115a2

 

The petition is also available for signing at the Guildhall and template letters to be sent to the BBC Director General are also available on the NUJ website.