The BBC has made its first official statement against accusations by the Londumb campaign that it has turned its back on quality specialist music programming in opting for a 'talk radio' heavy schedule. The Corporation made a statement after some of the campaign's celebrity supporters wrote a letter to the government which said: "The government's proposed changes to the radio sector make it all the more crucial that the BBC deliver on its local and regional remit to support the arts."
In its reply the BBC said both BBC London and their other local stations played a wide range of music and were fully committed to regional arts. "We do have a diverse range of music on BBC London. Lemon Jelly (one of the signatories to the letter) was on last month's playlist and this Saturday Gary Crowley is doing a two hour special on The Clash with Mick Jones and Paul Simenon. Coupled with Dirty Vegas, Dr Robert and Ron Sexsmith on this month's playlist, I don't think we are lacking in diversity.”
The statement went on to say BBC’s arts coverage extended beyond just music.
"Our commitment to the arts is a great deal more than playing music. Through our links with the Arts Council of England, we work with the African, Asian, Caribbean and Chinese communities to bring music, poetry, prose and sculpture in to the mainstream of our outlets. Local radio has an extremely proud record of arts output.”