BBC podcast held as host ‘was not northern enough’

A BBC local radio journalist claims she was told she was not “northern enough” as she tried to get her podcast added to the BBC Sounds app.

Amanda White, a broadcaster at BBC Radio Humberside, spoke out against bosses for limiting digital content because she said they are obsessed with how the presenters sound.

The accusation comes as BBC staff walked out for 24 hours this week in an ongoing dispute over the corporation’s plans to cut local radio services.

Ms White, from Hull, said it took a year to get her fertility podcast, Sex, Drugs and Lullabies, commissioned for BBC Sounds with her editor explaining the “delay was over concerns that I didn’t sound northern enough”.

Ms White said that colleagues had worked on podcasts in response to the BBC’S request for more digital content, but after 12 months of discussions BBC managers asked: “How famous or working class are the presenters?”

A BBC spokesman said: “We are proud that our diverse podcast offering is reflective of the rich tapestry of voices and experiences across England.”