BIDDERS to be Bury's newest radio station want public backing to make sure they hit the airwaves.

The group, 107.1 BFM, is one of seven bidding for a licence to broadcast in Bury and Bolton, but their owners, Independent Radio Group Ltd, already run two radio stations in the region.

The bid is being backed by Newsquest plc, owners of the Bury Times newspaper group.

Now the Radio Authority, which awards the broadcast licences, is inviting comment from the people of Bury on whether they think BFM's bid could operate against the public interest.

IRG run two other local stations, Lite AM in Greater Manchester and Wire FM in Warrington. Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996, a company cannot own three overlapping radio services unless the authority can determine that the proposed station would not operate against public interest.

The Radio Authority wants the public to write in with comments considering the following questions:

If the licence were awarded to 107.1 BFM Ltd, would it lead to a reduction in plurality of ownership in Independent Local Radio services in the area?

Would there be an effect on the range of programmes available on independent radio in the area?

Would there be less diversity in the sources of information available in the area?

Or would there be less diversity in the sources of opinions expressed on the radio in the area?

Comments should be sent in writing to: The Licensing Officer, The Radio Authority, Holbrook House, 14 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5DG. They should arrive no later than Thursday, July 2.

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