Save the BBC. Stop the Cuts or Drinking Albanian Lager with MPs

Sounds like a Half Man, Half Biscuit song - which is strangely appropriate given we co-hosted a Parliamentary reception last night to oppose the proposed BBC axing of 6Music, the Asian Network, BBC Blast, the halving of the website and the likely sell-off or part-privatisation of BBC magazines.

Almost 200 people, including a number of MPs from across the political spectrum attended. The event was a protest but also a celebration of public service broadcasting and the BBC's role in it - one it is vital we defend in the light of attacks from commercial rivals and some politicians in the run-up to the election.

This morning I was at the TUC Executive where we discussed a range of disputes from British Airways Cabin Crew to the PCS dispute. I also did an interview for a project on the abuse of work experience placements, wrote to the Pakistani authorities about threats to an NUJ members' family over articles he has written, sent a message of support to members in Blackpool involved in industrial action and took part in a meeting of our reps at Johnston Press where industrial action is looking more likely both over the continued pay freeze and the implications for jobs, quality and health and safety of the introduction of a new editorial system.

Tonight I'm off down to the Oxford Mail for a chapel social/recruitment event.