Equity Lobby BBC Over Short Story Cut-backs

Equity has come together with the Society of Authors and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain to campaign against short story cuts on BBC Radio 4.
In a letter to BBC Trust Chair Lord Pattern the three organisations have written: "We are deeply concerned at these proposed cuts and believe that they will lead to the BBC breaching its Charter and particularly its duty to stimulate creativity and cultural excellence.
"The BBC has a duty to offer the best examples of creative work that engage and delight audiences, break new ground and encourage interest in cultural, creative and sporting activities.
"Short stories, with the use of the single voice, provide an opportunity to create great moments of drama and intimacy for the listener. It is a versatile and flexible medium which can surprise and delight and encourage audiences into unfamiliar territory."
BBC Radio 4 station controller Gwyneth Williams announced in July that the number of short stories broadcast by Radio 4 will be reduced from three to one a week from the spring next year.
Equity is encouraging members to write directly to Gwyneth Williams to persuade her against the cut. Reducing short stories by two-thirds will result in loss of work for Equity members while saving Radio 4 a negligible amount of money, Equity believes. Members are also encouraged to sign the petition set up by the National Short Story Week against the proposed cuts.
The move is likely to cause uproar amongst Radio 4's loyal listenership, especially as the BBC made the announcement that it was cutting short stories on Radio 4 while at the same time promoting National Short Story Week, an annual event which aims to focus the attentions of the public and the media on the short story and short story writers, publishers and events.
The Stage has reported that a spokeswoman for the BBC said Radio 4 will still commission around 100 short stories a year from next year - 50 of which will be broadcast first on Radio 4 Extra.
(BMcN/BMcC)