BBC Radio privatisation

[mccarthy kevin]

I just received this email from the SumofUs.org website and thought it would
interest our members.


The BBC is under attack. Under pressure from the government, our public service
broadcaster has agreed to privatise the majority of BBC radio.

Under the terms of the new draft charter, 60% of BBC radio output will now come
from private providers, a massive increase from the current 20%. That would make
wealthy private interests gatekeepers for one of our most trusted information
sources.

Tell Theresa May to help stop the privatisation of the BBC.

BBC radio union members unanimously said they thought the plan would negatively
impact BBC radio service. Just imagine what will happen when our beloved
programmes are controlled by profit-driven corporations rather than those
serving the public interest.

The BBC’s new draft charter has been adopted following massive pressure from
conservative interests that claim the public service broadcaster has a
“left-wing bias”. But extensive academic studies show that's plain wrong. It's
just a cover story for privatisation. 

When BBC Radio Six Music faced closure to make room for private competition back
in 2010, a huge public outcry saved it from the axe. Together we need to
generate that same grassroots opposition to privatisation now.

We need to come together now to stop the corporate takeover of one of our most
trusted information sources. Countless Brits rely on the BBC to be informed,
engaged citizens. Privatisation would make the BBC a force for wealthy
enterprises, not the people’s interest.

Sign the petition and urge Theresa May to stop the privatisation of the BBC.

Thanks for all that you do,

Carys, Sondhya, Hanna, Kat and the rest of the team at SumOfUs