Goodbye BBC Asian Network…The battle has been lost and sadly, the station will be tuning out by the end of 2011. It looks like a lot more people couldn’t bare the thought of BBC 6 Music closing.It will definitely leave a big gap in the British Asian and non-Asian community. It gave a voice to what may have been a voiceless community at times and gave a sense of belonging.
Controversial topics, current affairs and issues were opened up to it’s global listeners; issues such as forced marriages, how Sikhs felt about stop & search initiatives at airports, domestic abuse and the dating scene amongst the 2nd & 3rd generation British Asians. Such issues would normally be brushed under the carpet but the station explored these and presented them in such a way in which all listeners from any background could understand. The station also allowed misunderstood communities to speak out and defend themselves in times of controversy, so it is definitely a useful communication tool. It also paves the way for a new generation of Brit-Asians who carry the best of both identities.
Even though the station is predominantly catering for Asian listeners, it is also very versatile too. I know the station adapted to people with diverse tastes
in music, discussions and shows. It’s a vital platform to showcase talent and catapult them into the world of mainstream showbiz industries.The official ‘Save The BBC Asian Network’ Facebook page attracted 28,352 people who were against its closure. If every person in that group had taken 5 minutes to sign the petition against the closure then maybe the station would have had a fighting chance? BBC 6 music received around 25,000 emails whereas the letters/e-mails sent in to save Asian Network hit the region of around 600 according to a source. It’s good enough having a rant and moan about its closure but actions speak louder than words.
Not everyone sat back and moaned though. Some actions did speak louder than words and will always be engrained in the stations history. Musician Ranvir Singh Verma walked backwards from London to Birmingham and let’s not forget the Bhangra flashmob in which hundreds of supporters descended at the BBC’s HQ’s in protest.
It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise…British Asian talent may now want to push even harder to integrate themselves within mainstream stations such as Radio 1 and could positively shake up the dynamics of the corporations values. In my opinion, talent should be classed as talent, regardless of background. The only thing left for the station now is make sure it’s final year on the airwaves is significant, memorable and leaves a void within the BBC. (Photos courtesy of Ajay Kenth.)
2 comments:
Although the BBC Asian Network is fading out as a national station, the above piece is just a snapshot of how, for some, it can be described as the end of an era nationally. The Asian community shouldn’t be pigeon-holed under one banner and yes, it’s a step forward for the radio industry to localise it, but my piece merely reflects how the public feel & responded. So from my perspective, the human interest angle here is still meaningful & valid; especially when people are still posting their comments on the ‘Save the Asian Network’ Facebook fan page, about how they’re disappointed by the end of the national aspect of the station. In terms of the station going local, I have every faith that it will succeed in reaching a diverse range of listeners with fresh ideas for programming & production. It will just take time for the stations loyal listeners to get used to its transition.
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