Proposed cuts to BBC Radio Foyle are "political" and an "attempt to close the station by stealth", a rally in Derry heard on Friday afternoon.
The BBC announced on Thursday that it would cut the station's flagship breakfast news programme from two hours to just 30 minutes, and scrap the existing lunchtime news programme altogether, along with a host of other changes.
The proposed cuts have been met with immediate opposition from both the National Union of Journalists, local campaigners, and politicians.
Read more: NUJ to ballot for industrial action over BBC Radio Foyle breakfast news cut
Addressing the rally at lunchtime on Friday outside the Radio Foyle offices on the Northland Road, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "We are not prepared to take the cuts from the people in Belfast. We've seen it all before - we've had to stand at different rallies and protests because Derry hasn't got its fair share. There are over 600 employees in Belfast, millions of pounds have been invested in BBC Belfast, and once again the axe is falling in the North West.
"This isn't the first time we've had to stand against cuts to Radio Foyle and it probably won't be the last. What they really want to do is close this station down because it doesn't suit. Well, we're not about to accept that. We will not go quietly, we will not stop fighting, we will not stop raising this issue."
The Foyle MP continued: "I have been on the receiving end of many a roasting in that station. It's not easy. It's not a normal, lightweight sort of regional broadcaster. It's serious journalists doing serious work, representing the issues that matter to the people of this city.
"The BBC need to hear, very loudly, that we're not going to go away just because they've dressed this up as some sort of supportive measure. This is an attempt to close this station by stealth."
Felicity McCall, from the Derry and North West Branch of the NUJ, said: "I'm here to speak for all the people who are working away inside that building, who because they are still employed are unable to come out and join us today. They have fought a brilliant campaign. Seamus Dooley has fought a brilliant campaign from our headquarters in Dublin. It's not just on behalf of those 10 jobs, it's on behalf of the entire rural and urban community, from all traditions and none, because it's your voice that the BBC is silencing. It's our voice, our young bands, our emerging talent, our community issues, our political spokespeople, it's us.
"This is not an economic decision. This is political, however they choose to dress it up."
Ciara Ferguson, Sinn Fein MLA, said: "First and foremost, the BBC in Belfast and London should know that every single person in this city and across the NOrth West fully support and back BBC Radio Foyle. They are a platform for each and every one of our voices in this city and that needs protected. We cannot and will not stand back and allow this to happen.
"Solidarity to the staff."
DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: "We want to stand with the staff. We very much value the service this local station provides and has provided for many years. It would be a blow to the local community if we were to lose the services of Radio Foyle. To see the flagship Breakfast Show slashed to 30 minutes is nothing short of an absolute disgrace. We won't stand by and allow that to happen. If we have to go to Belfast, let us go to Belfast and make our voices heard. We are not going away. I think they expected this to fizzle out like everything else. I want to send the message that we stand together. We are not going to allow this to happen."
A BBC spokesperson said: "We’ve had lengthy and detailed engagement with the trade unions about our savings and renewal plans. Digital news provision from Foyle will be significantly enhanced in addition to radio news programming that will be exclusively focussed on the North West. We expect that BBC staffing numbers in Foyle will remain unchanged. This includes some new roles to help deliver local and region-wide programming across the BBC’s services."
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