Dorset Broadcasting Action Group Newsletter

The BBC in Plymouth are about to sponsor an independent survey of residents of Dorset regarding the need for BBC Radio Dorset to be re-instated on FM.

We obviously want to pre-warn as many residents as possible if we are to try and ensure strong support for this plan.   The position so far is that we have just been in touch with BBC South West, who advised that they are commissioning (this week!) a survey of residents in rural Dorset -  to be conducted by an outside agency - to establish the demand for the reinstatement of BBC Radio Dorset on FM & aimed at covering the whole county.     We are trying to find out more details of the survey, but in the meantime, if there is a simple way of informing as many people as possible, & requesting their support for our campaign on this issue we would be most grateful.    The BBC said that they had already carried out a smaller survey of Bournemouth & Poole, where they received mixed support (40/60), as many feel that BBC Radio Solent meets their needs (but clearly 40 % don't!).    The BBC is thinking that the new station would cover ALL the county and not just rural Dorset, which would mean that residents and businesses in Bournemouth & Poole would anyway have a County wide programme IN ADDITION TO Radio Solent.   Hence they would have a choice, which we hope is an attractive proposition.

As you may know, the biggest single argument as to why this radio station is so important is that at present, there is no single broadcasting medium that covers the whole county in the case of local or national emergencies!   The County Council, Fire & Rescue services, Coastguard, Ambulance Service etc. are all pushing for this medium.    That is apart from the obvious need for local news and events coverage that so many of us want to have.

Of course, we have no way of knowing who will be surveyed, and so we are asking everyone to try and help spread the word.   We imagine it will take a while for the chosen agency to design their survey and implement it, so there is a little time on our side.   We must do all we can to make sure the BBC gets strong support for the proposal, and we hope we can count on your support.

For more information e.g. who is on the Executive Committee, current and past activities and issues, how to improve your reception etc., see www.dorbag.org.uk