Total blackout

[DuctapeFatwa]

Black people are angry, but the chances are you'll never find out. Their voices are being raised, but you won't hear them. That's because, as far as African-Caribbean broadcasting is concerned, we seem to be witnessing a total blackout.
BBC Radio London presenter Henry Bonsu was axed because his bosses said he was "too intellectual" and his ratings weren't high enough. Conversely, Geoff Schumann's phone-in was one of the most listened-to programmes on London's only African-Caribbean station, Choice FM. But it has just been bought by Capital Radio, whose first act was to sack him.

Both Bonsu and Schumann were important because their shows gave an airing to community issues. In a radio era in which serious discussion is increasingly giving way to wall-to-wall music, these broadcasts were among a decreasing number of outlets for black topical discussion.

But the pair's demise is indicative of a counter-revolution over the past five years. Under the trendy banner of "inclusion" and "diversity", a distinct black media voice has been stifled. If this policy is pursued, black programmes in other cities could come under threat.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1172942,00.html

[Rex]

1. Corporatism run rampant will lead to stifled free speech.

A less informed public means a more gullible public, and easier pickings by mega-corps.

[annagull]

2. Welcome to Amerkkka

where corporationss rule, not governments. where free speech is an anomolie, not a rule.

[Stockholm]

3. It is truly sad

when the BBC does not live up to their public service duty for which they are paid. Instead they are gradually stooping to the level of commercial channels.

In Sweden our SVT (Swedish Television) introduced reality shows and we are soon to be blessed with yet another stupefying show which "put participants in middle age Sweden", people who loses competitions will be punished by poring flees on their persona's etc.

I guess it is all up to the BoD (Governors in the UK) of the networks to fight this trend. But with the prospect of losing ratings to "the Bachelor channels" can they resist?

[MichaelUK]

4. British TV

Hang on just a minute... now fair enough, the BBC Board of Directors have dropped a few balls lately with BBC 1 and 2, but they've also got BBC 3 (which has some decent dramas, news pieces and documentaries), UKHistory etc. BBC 1 & 2 are for the masses who can't afford satellite TV, and who think good TV is watching soaps.

UK terrestrial TV goes a little something like this:

AM - daytime TV drivel. Not much news, mostly personal interest pieces, stuff for toddlers and Neighbours at 1:35pm.

5.35pm - BBC 1 - Neighbours (how we are STILL interested in a bunch of Australians in a street I'll never know)

6pm - News/every eats dinner (or Home and Away - more Australian soap action)

6.30 - Hollyoaks (channel 4) - soap about VERY attractive women in Chester.

7pm - Emmerdale (ITV soap about yorkshire farmers)

7.30pm - Eastenders (BBC1 flagship soap about people living in East end of London)

8pm - Corrination Street (ITV flagship soap about people living in Manchester )

8.30pm - Dinner for those who didn't eat it or call friends to discuss latest storylines.

You might think that people might actually watch something else than soaps. Big Brother UK goes on at 9pm (when it's on) and most other reality TV shows go on around 8.30... there is significant drawing power of soaps (probably due to escapism or something).

So it's not that the BBC is becoming commercialised. It's trying to compete with them by giving the public what they want. The BBC has recently (Wed before last I think) had the worst viewing figures EVER for BBC1 on a Wednesday night. They've tried the new reality TV thing - failed. They can't afford the football highlights package. They've only got one successful soap. Their Saturday night TV is going to be hoasted (again) by either Bruce Forsyth, Cilla Black or Jonny Vaughn. And Dr Who is coming back (actually a good thing).

If the BBC were to retain it's austere image and be all about highbrow intellectualism, it doubt anyone would watch it.

It's a mess, and the only good things on TV these days are Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight (he's recently blasted several politicians on the Iraq war) and Hollyoaks (VERY, VERY attractive women who wear skirts that are far too short for the weather)