Don’t switch off Janice Forsyth, say Scots musicians and politicians
Janice Forsyth, whose show is to be axed
SCOTTISH musicians and politicians from across the political spectrum have joined in a major online campaign to save the Janice Forsyth radio show after it was revealed that BBC Scotlandis to axe it.
A storm of protest built up over the weekend on Twitter and Facebook, which saw the likes of former Orange Juice frontman Edwyn Collins, crime writer Ian Rankin and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon come together to castigate the BBC for its decision and demand that it change its mind.
Collins, was among the first to post his opposition to the move when the story broke: “A message to BBC Radio Scotland, re Ms Janice Forsyth. [She is a] Jewel in your crown. It’s not too late to change your mind. This is daft.”
A Twitter storm developed over the weekend as hundreds of outraged listeners made their feelings known.
Franz Ferdinand lead singer Alex Kapranos, a past guest host on the show, wrote: “She’s the best thing on Scottish radio you fools!”, while Ms Sturgeon added: “How can BBC Radio Scotland even think about axing the brilliant Janice Forsyth show? They should change their minds.”
Labour MSP Cathy Jamieson also tweeted: “How can BBC Radio Scotland even think about axing the brilliant Janice Forsyth.”
An online petition has also been set up, gathering five hundred signatures by last night, and “Save Janny on the Tranny” T-shirts and shopping bags are being produced.
Scottish crime writer Val McDermid called on fans to take direct action, tweeting: “Time we organised a protest march on Pacific Quay.”
Many fans threatened to abandon listening to Radio Scotland completely, with many stating that Janice’s show was the only programme that drew them to the station in the first place.
The popular Saturday show, which has run for 18 years, is being axed in line with BBC policy of focusing on speech broadcasting during the day and music during the night.
It will be replaced with the extensions of sport and news shows. The BBC has said the show will end in July to coincide with its Olympic coverage and the move was in line with its BBC Trust-backed strategy “to become more speech-based during the day”.
In a letter to The Scotsman, former MP and MSP Dennis Canavan said the corporation should “leave Janice alone”.
Ian Rankin described the BBC’s policy as “Stalinist”.
“I’ll be very interested to see them [the BBC] do the same thing to Desert Island Discs,” he said. “It’s a daytime show that mixes talk with music, and if they’re saying that the BBC Trust is saying that the BBC should be about talk during the day and music at night, then Desert Island Discs has got to go. And if it doesn’t, then what is the BBC Trust talking about.
“It seems to be very Stalinist in its view, and I’m afraid it’s going to turn lots of people off Radio Scotland full stop.”
Nick Low, the show’s producer said he and Janice had been touched by the response: “The response has been incredible. What we’ve been most heartened by is they have appreciated what we’ve done with the music over the years, that it is something different and distinct, which is what Radio Scotland is about.”
A BBC Radio Scotland spokeswoman said: “It’s always difficult when we change schedules, as all our programmes have loyal audiences. But we’ve outlined why [we are axeing the show], which was backed by the BBC Trust.”
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Comments
There are 16 comments to this article
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grussell
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:17 PMIncisive and knowledgeable interviews which always seem to be enjoyed by the interviewees, an interesting choice of unfamiliar music plus a showcase for new Scottish musical talent. Saturday morning the ideal slot - just so long as I can get to the button before Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove come on with that awful fitba' programme. The best and worst of Scottish radio, juxtaposed.
Distracted
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:13 PMIt's a very good programme and should stay where it is. Saturday mornings would be very dull without it. There are too many puerile sports commentators on air as it is and it would be very unjust to give them even more airtime at the expense of shows like Janice's.
ReprievedSoul
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 05:38 PMIt's popular and it's scottish, and it's got loyalty and commitment. So someone feels threatened and has to kill it? Th real point is the level and extent of control of content by unaccountable dogmatists, rather than audience-aware creativists. BBC Trust may recommend but the final say is with the paying audience.
FWFW
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:46 PMI find janice a bit clipped sometime in her delivery but I think there is and should be space for her show and Tom Morton's - my god - the amount of time they give over to the yawn yawn male presenters like Tam Cowan and his big pal who have never changed their format in years and do like to hear the sound of their own voices on all sorts of contrived topics and don't even get me started on the puerile comedy that was "off the ball" come to think of it has their been any evaluation of the gender imbalance on radio scotland cos a lot of the programming seems to be aimed at and delivered by middle aged white men of a certain provenance - deversity is more than just the name of a dance troupe
rory@mailinator.com
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:45 PMI love the idea of Janice talking feminist drivel. If it keeps numpties like Number 8 out of the party, that's even better. As for her being elitist and stifling new talent - the show went out of its way to PROMOTE new scottish music talent, Bezmatek, so maybe it's time for your yearly ear-cleaning. Look I don't think Janice is a deity but her show was the smartest thing about Saturdays on Radio Scotland. She also gets good stuff out of guests and is cheerful company 10-12. If they get rid of a popular presenter with a bit of intelligence, committed to scottish music and who actually listens to her interviewees instead of showing off in front of them, do you think that the Head of Radio Scotland will replace her with something even better? No, it's going to be Dumb and Dumber, and Cheap and Cheaper snickering over sport. Even if you don't like the show, surely the narrowing of diversity on a Saturday must strike you as deeply depressing.
Niebiosa tam sa naprawde nieskrzydlowe ludzie tam
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 12:58 PMAch JF is well past her sell by date. I have noticed of late that the media luvvies here in Scotland have formed into a cadre of mutual back slappers, that have closed ranks to stifle new talent coming through. I mean C'mon can you really pretend to be "edgy,groundbreaking and relevant" well into your dotage ? I think not. Time to clear away all the deadwood and let new talent grow into the sunlight.
Auld Meerkat
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:27 AMI occasionally hear this programme when I tune in too early on Saturday for Off The Bawl. It has no more appeal for me than the equally banal Tom Morton show - just another popular music show more suited to Radio Two. BBC Radio Scotland has become less relevant musically to the nation since Ian Anderson was moved to late evening and Jimmy MacGregor retired. Popular music fans are well catered for by many other stations and rather than listen to the lightweight Call Kay or Fred McCauley,I will tune in to England based Radio Five Live
Shah Hoorsur
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:52 AMDriven by London no doubt!
tartantt
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:37 AMAnd not before time. Have never liked her feminist drivel. If Tom morton is going too, then so much the better. More drivel. Not good enough for the B.B.C. which should be the gold standard. There are plenty decent Scots about, without chips on their shoulders to replace them.
Poch mo Thoin!
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:43 AMThe voice of common sense and balanced opinion - and they want to sack he?r - they it is who should be sacked!
Curious Yellow
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:41 AMJANICE MUST STAY
Curious Yellow
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:40 AMJANICE MUST STAY!
cannym
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:08 AMLosing Janice Forsyth may be bad but what about Tom Morton. That would be an even greater loss. What idiot decides these things?
Logie88
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 08:56 AMIt's only a radio programme, ffs.
adjgl
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 08:43 AMBut, some of us didn't enjoy the programme!
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