BLACK LEADERS MEET BBC BOSSES IN BECKFORD FALLOUT

21-04-2007

The Stirrer has discovered that leaders of the African-Caribbean community in the West Midlands met with BBC bosses earlier this to discuss the fallout from Robert Beckford’s decision to leave the station.

As we revealed on this website, Beckford quit his Sunday morning religious show claiming that he wasn’t properly valued by management (see the story here).

Beckford then told us that he felt the Corporation might be seen as “aggressive not progressive” by the community. (see the story here).

We understand that senior community figures have now spoken to Keith Beech, acting head of programmes at BBC in The Midlands, and that more meetings are scheduled.

Beckford himself has told us: “This is a bigger issue than me. I’m not bitter I’m leaving, and I’ve found other things to do. But in a city known for being divided beneath the surface, the media should set an example for good practice, and of all people the BBC should lead the way in that.

“Yet if you ask if the BBC in the Midlands can claim to represent the African-Caribbean community, the answer in the last ten years has to be no. I don’t think it’s unique, either, if you look across the regions to places like Manchester, Leeds and so on”.

It’s a view endorsed by Bishop Joe Aldred, chair of the Council of Black Led Churches. He told us he had a “long-standing gripe” about the poor representation of his community on WM - “The general thrust of the station is not reflective of the multi-cultural society we live in.”

BBC WM told us it is, “ is proud of its record of nurturing and developing talent from the African Caribbean communities. WM now provides 10 hours of programming per week aimed at the African Caribbean population of Birmingham and the Black Country, including 'Real Talk' - the only topical discussion programme in the region aimed at African Caribbean communities - and a new weekly black Arts programme. “

They added: “WM also actively helped to launch the community radio station in Aston by working with teenagers from the area, training them in radio skills and helping them broadcast a series of youth programmes. This work has led to Aston winning a full time licence to run a community radio station in the area.

“WM also recently won a national CSV award for a month-long campaign last autumn in the Lozells area of Birmingham, which sought to promote community cohesion between the African Caribbean and Asian communities and to encourage youth groups from both communities to work together to improve facilities in the area. “