I heart the BBC
on My Thai (Thailand), 28/Jan/2011 06:15, 34 days ago
So the BBC are making more cuts, this time to the World Service.I remember this time a year or so ago being up in arms about the possible closure of 6 Music - a station I've listened to for years and the only one that I've ever felt reflected my tastes and interests.I even filled in the lengthy online petition/questionnaire which is really saying something for me! At the time, I felt that the BBC would be failing in their remit of catering to the broad spectrum of interests and backgrounds in Britain and, not to sound overly dramatic, would have been a bit bereft without the likes of Shaun Keaveny and Lauren Laverne; not to mention the musical education they've given me.I would fear for the youth of today if all they were left to listen to was the bland and generic tripe pumped out by Radio 1. So what if these more niche services have a lower number of listeners, they pay licence fees too right?Long story short, 6 Music's listener figures more than doubled within a year and, following several polite middle class protests, the BBC Trust rejected the proposed closure. Makes you proud to be British!I get that these are troubled financial times, but now the BBC takes another hit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuS5uaqlvrc&feature=player_embedded Its hard to explain just how much of a lifeline the World Service is for me here.While I have a TV in my flat, its not even plugged in. After about 10 minutes of watching Thai soap operas I'd had my fill - what with the overacting, shaky stage sets and wistful looks into the middle distance its verging on the comic. Verging.So now the TV is just another thing in the room I neglect to dust.Without my little shortwave radio I would be totally clueless about what was going on in the world. I'll return to my similarity to Mr Hanks inCastaway - without it I'd be living in my own little bubble and, on return to 'normal life', would be really out of step with all the changes to it.When I wake up in the morning, I get an hour's dodgy reception where I can catch up with the news before it cuts off at 8am. Then in the evening I can listen through the crackle to my heart's content. Sometimes it just serves as background noise but at others I find out the most fascinating things. It really is quality broadcasting!According to William Hague, the government's decision to cut its funding of the World Service is 'underlining rather than undermining its independence'. Wonder how long he sat in front of the mirror practising that line!Perhaps I could suggest that a few high level BBC execs be made redundant and then the planned 650 job cuts at the World Service wouldn't be needed. Hmmm....P.S.In other news...I have now found a lovely cafe with free wifi, dolphin shaped taps in the bathroom and English Breakfast tea - all is right with the world (for today at least!)I've also really been narking myself off with my whole 'woe is me' attitude so, in an attempt to check myself before I wreck myself, I have banned all negative online comments for the next month.We'll see how it goes...see you in March, maybe!