Although the BBC Trust cancelled the re-introduction of BBC Radio Dorset due to a reduction in their Licence Fee, the Dorset Broadcasting Action Group is still determined to fight for this essential service for the county.

“We still need BBC Radio Dorset”

While DorBAG is still fighting for proper local news & events coverage on Terrestrial Television, we need to react to this cancellation of BBC Radio Dorset.  As a start, MPs from right across Dorset (all three main parties) signed a joint letter which was sent to Mark Thompson at the BBC, deploring the cancellation of Radio Dorset and effectively demanding its reinstatement. 

In addition, in February 2008, Dorset County Council added its full support to the DorBAG campaign with the Chief Executive sending a letter to that effect to the Chairman of the BBC Trust (see DorBAG Latest News).

In addition, the committee decided to run a petition entitled “We need BBC Radio Dorset”.   Thus this DorBAG petition is aimed at supporting the County Council and the MPs’ letters as well as the demands of residents in this county.   We would urge all Dorset residents to add their names as soon as possible, either online or on the paper petition forms provided (see below).  It is important to note that even if residents only want local Dorset news on TV, and are less concerned about local radio, we would still ask they sign this petition to help bring pressure to bear on the BBC, as otherwise, DorBAG will inevitably be weakened in any future negotiations on radio or TV! 

PETITION

Here is your chance to force the BBC to reconsider – obviously, we need a very large number to support this petition if we are to succeed!

So #Please sign the petition# here on line, or you can download or print copies of the Petition Forms and Promotional Posters below (you can add your own council’s name or organisation’s title to the top of the downloadable forms!):

Residents may also be able to collect petition forms and posters from their local council.

Please ask all your friends and neighbours to support this petition, and to spread the word far and wide!

Note: If you are a webmaster you can also add a 'whiteband' to your site. More details can be found HERE>>

Background:

• BBC admits Dorset is “underserved”
• The original BBC Radio Dorset was axed some years ago
• 95% in DorBAG survey want local news/events on Radio &  TV
• Dorset MPs support this campaign
• Dorset County Council supports the campaign
• Many Town/Borough/Parish Councils also actively support DorBAG
• Dorset is the poor relation of BBC Radio Solent (and the BBC)…
• And it doesn’t reach all parts of Dorset anyway
• Devon, Cornwall & Somerset have BBC radio – why not Dorset ?
• Government says “listen to your local radio in emergencies” – where’s ours?