Quintin Jardine's blog

Just back from doing the hour that I trailed a few days ago on East Coast FM, East Lothian’s community radio station. So far it broadcasts only on line, but it has a strong and powerful case for a localised licence, to make the FM in its title reality. Ian Robertson, one of the powerhouses behind the project, was there to greet me, and I went on air with Les McKellar, the Thursday morning presenter, and Jim Anderson his side-kick. We did an hour of knockabout; we enjoyed it, so did Gillian, see below, and hopefully everyone else did too.

In an age when local newspapers are becoming that in name only, (I heard of one that wouldn’t cover an event because its photographer doesn’t work Thursdays.) and when Independent Local Radio is making a nonsense of that description with centralised programming covering two or more licence areas, stations like East Coast FM have an ever more important role in filling the gap that their withdrawal has left, giving people an insight into what’s happening in their communities and a voice in them into the bargain.  So come on Ofcom; get the finger out and give them the recognition they deserve.

Whatever happens, I have an open invitation to go back, and believe me, I’ll be taking it up.