The University of Westminster’s music business network MusicTank next week hosts a special think tank which will debate jazz coverage on the BBC. Radio 3’s controller Roger Wright and head of programmes at Radio 2 and 6 Lewis Carnie will defend the corporation’s coverage following the publication of a new report authored by Jazzwise writer Stuart Nicholson, Emma Kendon and Chris Hodgkins of Jazz Services.

The report The BBC – Jazz, Policy and Structure in The Digital Age looks at criticism of the BBC for its perceived lack of coverage of jazz and examines the specific needs of jazz, with its particular emphasis on live performance, and how these needs are being met by the BBC in comparison to other European public broadcasters.

The issues affecting jazz impact upon broadcasting policy for all niche genres, including classical and opera. The report also suggests a solution that maximises DAB’s potential to deliver targeted, niche digital radio programming to what is claimed to be a hungry yet largely under-served audience and as such, attunes well to the Government’s recent Digital Britain report.

The event takes place on 19 January at the Cockpit theatre in London and the panel will include Mykaell Riley, Stuart Nicholson, Roger Wright, Lewis Carnie, Chris Hodgkins, and Keith Harris. For more go to www.musictank.co.uk