Save BBC World Service from Savage Cuts

THIS PETITION WILL BE DELIVERED TO No. 10 DOWNING STREET ON COMPLETION OF 100,000 SIGNATURES TO DEMAND A COMMONS DEBATE ON THE FUNDING OF BBC WORLD SERVICE.

WE NEED TO ACT QUICKLY

PLEASE EMAIL EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PETITION

WWW.SAVEWS.COM

The BBC World Service, the world's most recognised news service. is facing savage financial cuts forcing huge job losses and the withdrawal of services vital to poverty stricken and war torn parts of the globe.

We, the undersigned, urge the UK Government to:

Re-think its funding to the BBC World Service and hold a Commons debate on the protection of what is one of Britain's foremost and unique sources of soft power and prestige. The Coalition Agreement rightly recognises Britain’s moral responsibility to help the poorest people in the world and makes welcome commitments to increase and protect International Development funding. We consider the BBC's international broadcasting to be a very cost-effective means of development and we call on the Government to treat it in the same manner as development aid.

The Foreign Office reductions in grant aid have caused the BBC to propose (in particular) ending short wave transmissions to some of the poorest regions in the world. These are places where internet access is limited, literacy is an issue and local governments block FM re-broadcasting when it suits their purposes. These essential services must be considered as a priority by both Government and BBC in any review.

The UK Government's e-petition web site appears currently to be closed to new petitions. The UK Government promises it will hold a commons debate if more than 100,000 signatures are received to a No 10 e-petition. Consequently as it is currently impossible to post a No. 10 e-petition we have phrased this petition in line with a No. 10 e-petition in order to demand its official recognition.