Black Londoners Action Committee

About this item

This document is a 1988 notice from the Black Londoners Action Committee (BLAC), a media research and campaigning group focused on protecting and promoting Black representation within UK broadcasting. It calls for a general meeting to address concerns about the removal of Alex Pascall, a key figure in Black British media, from BBC Radio London. The committee highlights the importance of maintaining authentic Black access and programming on mainstream media.

Key points:
– The Black Londoners Action Committee has campaigned since 1981 for the protection of the 'Black Londoners' programme on BBC Radio London.
– Alex Pascall, noted for ensuring genuine Black access on BBC Radio, was suddenly removed from the BBC, prompting community concern.
– The meeting agenda includes discussion on the impact of the removal on the Black community and the threat of reduced Black ethnic specialist programmes.
– BLAC emphasizes the need to protect and associate 'Black Londoners' programming with the needs and aspirations of the Black community during Britain's multicultural transformation.
– The committee plans to explore practical alternatives to increase Black participation in mainstream national radio and television.

This document reflects the ongoing struggle within Black British politics to secure meaningful representation and influence in mainstream media during the 1980s. BLAC's campaigns parallel wider anti-racist efforts and the push for Black participation in institutions, aligning with Bernie Grant's activism around community empowerment, trade unionism, and cultural visibility.

Source note: The OCR transcript contains minor formatting inconsistencies and missing punctuation but does not substantially affect the interpretation of the document.