Call for Better Archiving of UK Television's Rich History
On May 17, 2024, Caroline Spry and other commenters expressed concerns about the lack of accessible archives for less mainstream film and television programmes in the UK, particularly those from the 1980s and 90s. These programmes often highlighted diverse perspectives, including Black and Asian communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and the working class. Spry, who worked at Channel 4 during this period, emphasized the importance of these cultural records. She advocated for a national policy on digitised archiving to preserve these invaluable historical documents. Linda Gresham from Birmingham mentioned she has VHS tapes available for viewing, while Desmond Hewitt from Wiltshire reflected on the social issues portrayed in shows like "Happy Valley."