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BBC must not compromise on rural coverage
July 11, 2008 12:00 AM
Prospective parliamentary candidate for the EU George Lyon has called on the BBC to reconsider its approach to rural programming. The BBC has axed the post of Rural Affairs Correspondent and Mr Lyon fears that rural affairs programming will suffer as a consequence.
Mr Lyon has written to the BBC raising his concerns and urging the corporation to reconsider this decision.
In his letter, Mr Lyon wrote:
"I am becoming increasingly concerned about the BBC's coverage of rural affairs in Scotland. I understand that BBC Scotland's Rural Affairs Correspondent is leaving and the Corporation does not intend to replace him.
"The timing of this decision is bizarre. Rising food prices, food scarcity and farmers' struggles are major news issues that affect everyone in Scotland. A specialist reporter with in- depth knowledge and expertise on these subjects is surely a necessary asset for the BBC.
"Why have you axed this post? I would ask you to reconsider this decision and reappoint a specialist Rural Affairs Correspondent as soon as possible.
"I was also disappointed that the BBC dropped the "Grassroots" programme and the "Landward" programme appears to moving away from covering issues about the rural economy. The loss of rural programming would be a blow and I would be grateful for details from you about what replacement rural programming is planned.
"35 per cent of Scotland's population live in rural areas and farming and rural businesses are key Scottish industries. The BBC must not turn its back on the rural community."
The full text of Mr Lyon's letter to the BBC is below:
Dear Sirs,
Rural Affairs Coverage
I am becoming increasingly concerned about the BBC's coverage of rural affairs in Scotland. I understand that BBC Scotland's Rural Affairs Correspondent is leaving and the Corporation does not intend to replace him.
The timing of this decision is bizarre. Rising food prices, food scarcity and farmers' struggles are major news issues that affect everyone in Scotland. A specialist reporter with in- depth knowledge and expertise on these subjects is surely a necessary asset for the BBC.
Indeed, a report commissioned in 2003 by the Governors of the BBC into Rural Affairs recommended the appointment of a Rural Affairs correspondent. This position was considered essential to avoid glib generalisations and bias in reporting on rural issues. Taking this report into account, it is difficult to understand how BBC Scotland can justify getting rid of the Rural Affairs Correspondent position.
Why have you axed this post? I would ask you to reconsider this decision and reappoint a specialist Rural Affairs Correspondent as soon as possible.
I was also disappointed that the BBC dropped the "Grassroots" programme and the "Landward" programme appears to moving away from covering issues about the rural economy. The loss of rural programming would be a blow and I would be grateful for details from you about what replacement rural programming is planned.
As 35 per cent of Scotland's population live in rural areas and farming and rural businesses are key Scottish industries, the BBC must not turn its back on the rural community.
I believe that there will be a great deal of anger in rural communities up and down the length and breadth of Scotland that a publicly funded body such as the BBC has decided to turn its back on them.
Yours sincerely
George Lyon
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