Take 2!
}++ Live blog with pix of today’s demo is here ++
Here we go again … what a rollercoaster ride it’s been since digital station 6 Music was thrown to the fate of the BBC Trust earlier in the year.
Tomorrow will mark the second demonstration (Beehive live blogged from the first) outside Broadcasting House in central London, but surely this time the protesters have really got something to shout about.
In the past few weeks, 6 Music has gone from strength to strength, scooping three prestigious awards from the Sony Radio Academy, and then delivering a near 50 per cent increase in listeners for the last quarter.
However, the protesters (many of whom are part of the 177,000 strong Facebook group) are not satisfied that the station is safe and with only a few days left until the BBC Trust consultation closes are taking to the streets of London again tomorrow (22nd May) with a star studded crew of guest speakers.
Amongst their number will be 6 Music presenters Andrew Collins, Liz Kershaw, Tom Robinson and Cerys Matthews, as well as a guest appearnce from Mock the Week regular Ed Byrne … and all of which will be held together by the dulcit tones of compare Jon Holmes.
Georgina Rodgers, co-founder of the Save BBC 6 Music organising committee, said:
“With the BBC Trust Consultation closing on the 25th May, this is our last chance to get our message across about how much 6 Music means to its million plus listeners. We have kept up the pressure and action from the moment the proposed closure was announced, and we hope that we have got our message across that 6 Music is a jewel in the crown of the BBC that should not only be saved from the axe, but should be nurtured.”
So, if you love 6 Music and you haven’t done anything yet (or have already done lots and just fancy a day out) get yourself down to Portland Place at 12pm tomorrow and pretend it’s the sixties again.
Don’t forget the most important thing, which this protest is meant to be a reminder of, fill in the Strategy Review!