'Save Radio Foyle' campaigning to protect journalists jobs and station

The 'Save Radio Foyle' campaign has described the immediate response to the proposed cuts to Radio Foyle programming as "uplifting".

Spokesperson for the group, Davy McAuley, said there was a clear, clear consensus across Derry and the North West that Radio Foyle must be protected.

'Save Radio Foyle' was formed in response to last week's announcement by BBC NI it was proposing to axe Radio Foyle's Breakfast Show and hourly news bulletins and, potentially, up to eight staff jobs.

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Davy McAuley said: "Following last week's lunchtime protest at Radio Foyle, the Save Radio Foyle community campaign held a public meeting this week in Brooke Park Sports Centre. The meeting was attended by a diverse grouping of campaigners, trade unionists, political parties and Radio Foyle supporters.

"The meeting committed to fully backing the NUJ campaign to protect journalists jobs and the station, and to mobilising the broadest possible support in favour of convincing the BBC interim director Adam Smyth to reverse his harmful decision.

"The proposed running down of Radio Foyle is a slap in the face for Derry and the greater North West but it is also yet another attack on a vital public service.

"No public consultation on the future of Radio Foyle is planned but we are committed to playing our role to make clear to the BBC the strength of feeling for the protection and expansion of Radio Foyle."

Mr McAuley added that the community campaign had agreed on a number of initiatives that it hoped would help mobilise support for Radio Foyle and for the NUJ.

"We are determined to play our role to make sure what's happening to Radio Foyle isn't passed over by other events. We will fight this decision all the way," he said.

"To get involved with the campaign sign up online at Save Radio Foyle."