Why does the BBC ignore the Midlands?

THERE are moves afoot to open a permanent centre that celebrates Scotland's contribution to popular music.

Nothing wrong with that. The Celtic fringes of Britain have for many years had a massive impact on our native culture. But...

Why is it that the London-centric BBC, while happily devoting time to certain regions of the UK, continually and steadfastly ignore the rich and diverse musical legacy of the Midlands?

This morning I watched quite a lengthy report on the BBC's breakfast time programme about the planned project in Scotland, featuring interviews with numerous Scottish-born luminaries such as Lulu and Midge Ure.

Nothing to complain about, I hear you say. Yet while the BBC loftily proclaims its lack of bias as far as reporting is concerned, I would say that there is such as thing as censorship by omission - and the state broadcaster is guilty of this time and again.

The facts of the matter seem to be that Birmingham and the Midlands generally are a BBC no-go zone. This is just one example of an outright prejudice from a taxpayer-funded organisation that likes to continually remind us all of its permanent occupation of the moral high ground...

On several occasions over the years, I have tried to interest the broadcaster in producing a programme about the Midlands, highlighting the area's proud history of not just creating, but also its innovation with regard to music and that of Birmingham in particular.

Yes, the BBC's Midlands Today recently conducted an interview with Second City musical legend Jim Simpson, a man of many talents, not least of which is the annual Jazz and Blues Festival which runs from July 24 to August 2.

But other than localised recognition, that's about it. So if Scotland can get several minutes of national television fame, why not Birmingham and its near neighbour Coventry, come to think about it?

The Move. UB40. Dexy's Midnight Runners. The Moody Blues... the Steve Gibbons band. Just a few of the trailblazing bands who would go on to stride the world stage.

But most of all there is Black Sabbath, the band which single-handedly created heavy metal. Yes, Birmingham was the birthplace of the genre. Yet despite the city to this day being the site of global pilgrimages, the BBC seems to be either blissfully unaware or indifferent.

A year or two ago, I contacted a freelance radio producer and suggested Birmingham's musical contributions - and particularly the work of impresario Jim Simpson - would make an interesting subject for a programme, either on radio or television. I'm sure the producer did his best, but sadly that one never got any further than the ideas box.

A year or so later, I tried once more. And again the suggestion was killed off at birth.

One of the problems with the BBC is its lofty, elitist remoteness - and sometimes a blatant contempt - for the issues that preoccupy the thoughts of many ordinary people. Its choice of what news topics to cover - and more pertinently, those to ignore - is symptomatic of the corporation's institutionalised censorship by omission.

If you look at the educational demographic of some of its top presenters and executives, you will see a fair representation of public and private schooling - fairly ironic, if not hypocritical, bearing in mind the BBC's left-leaning stance.

So these are people in positions of considerable power and influence who are basically insulated from the relevance of not just popular culture, but also entire parts of Britain, its population and - crucially - people's leisure tastes.

Next week, on Friday, July 24, the 42nd Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival starts, running until Sunday, August 2. Beset by financial problems, it is a miracle that it's taking place at all, and for that we have to thank the tireless efforts and enthusiasm of founder Jim Simpson.

And yes, no doubt Midlands Today will do some token coverage, but that will probably be all.

However, if the festival had been taking place in anywhere but Birmingham, you can bet your bottom dollar that it would get the same treatment as this week's Scotland item.

Ah well, I suppose there's still a chance for national coverage of what is undeniably a great story. And not possessing a crystal ball, I guess it can't be ruled out.

Hmmm, a story. Now that's an interesting thought. And there perhaps is the rub - for stories are things that journalists tend to cover, aren't they?