As webmaster for the Skibbereen community website, I've just created a "Petition for the Return of C103's West Cork Today Programme" on behalf of the Skibbereen and Region Economic Network (SAREN) who "ask the people of West Cork to have their voices heard again by petitioning UTV Media for the return of David Young and his West Cork Today programme on C103. SAREN encourage all to stand together to have West Cork's voice heard once more. We will present UTV Media with this petition in the coming weeks."
Please click here go to the Online Petition Now and leave your Name, Email Address and a Comment if you wish.
When I first moved to West Cork, there were two resources that were necessary to find out about what is going on in the area: The Southern Star weekly paper and West Cork Today, the local radio show that is on air mornings Monday to Friday. West Cork Today provides helpful and entertaining information ranging from the weekly Garda file to interviews with local experts and event organisers. I was actually a guest a couple of times as West Cork's 'web expert'.
A few years ago Northern Ireland based UTV Radio purchased Cork City based 96fm, along with its regional stations which broadcasted as 103fm. Around that time I noticed a move away from the early morning West Cork programming feeding only from the North Cork station. Then a few months ago they changed the brand to C103 -- and I was never sure what they were trying to achive with that. Now UTV have dismissed David Young the presentor of the West Cork Today programme and are airing a show called 'Cork Today' presented by North Cork based Patricia Messenger. There has been a great backlash from the people of West Cork, who feel that a show like this just cannot cover such a larger area and it is most likely that West Cork issues and events will suffer as a result.
I think the elderly people of West Cork will miss the show the most. For many it was one of their only links to what is going on in the area. I know many that would never miss the show, especially on the day that their town/village has it's weekly report and they'd look forward to hearing about what's happened over the past week and what events and activities were coming up.
Click here to read a report on the issue from The Southern Star.
Last week I received a letter in the post from UTV/C103 announcing sessions the station was holding around the area to discuss new promotional opportunities availble on the station. It may be worth attending one of these sessions just to see if there is any battling going on.
Most businesses are making tough decisions on cut backs and changes needed to keep profits from dipping too low, but UTV may just find that thi sdecision could end up hurting their bottom line.
I don't know if there's any chance that the show will now be brought back. There was a public protest held today, 20th April, at the 96fm headquarters in Cork City. Clonakilty Town Councillor Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin reports on his Facebook page: "Locked out for an hour, so couldn't hand in letter of protest. Then someone opened the door and we went in, were asked to leave for "Health and Safety", refused until the CE came out of his "meeting" to accept the letter. He did after 90 mins. Refused to talk to us because of "legal issues", but accepted the letter." In an earlier post he called for people to email their concerns to Kieran McGeary, Chief Executive of the station - kieran@96fm.ie and The Broadcasting Commission - reception@bci.ie asap. "We've lost the trains, ESB offices, Post Offices, Schools, Hospital Services, Pubs, small shops, bus routes and thousands of talented people in West Cork. No more!! Write today."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Hi Ann,
Skibbereen.ie is the Skibbereen BUSINESS Association website
It is misleading to call it the skibbereen COMMUNITY website
Can you change please?
Hi Joe, yes it is run by the Skibbereen Business Association but it is the only site that is dedicated to the town (that I know of) and provides a forum for community groups to list events, etc (when they choose to avail of it). Thanks for the comment.
Well done Ann for keeping awareness up on this one. The loss of the programme is a big backward step for the region.
We all easily remember the big issues (overhead pylons, the ferry etc), but take a moment to think about the 100 'little' issues for each of those big ones. Generally irrelevant to anyone outside the area but very important in keeping the community intact here in West Cork.
Here's just one example (as close as i can recall it)...
Just before Christmas a woman felt she could contact the show as she had a problem trying to get her Mother-in-laws medical chair couriered from Cork City to West Cork. This meant the family would'nt be united for the festive season. David Young put it out on air and before the show was over 3 or 4 volunteers had stepped forward to help. Problem solved.
Will C103 really give examples like this any real priority when they're trying to appeal to the whole of the county - hard to see it.
Its important to recognise this loss for what it is, and not let others think it was just irrelevant airtime.
Thanks for providing a good example as to how this programme has helped people.
Post a Comment