The petition is now closed. Many thanks to everyone who signed it and emailed in support of the short story on Radio 4. Sadly, after almost 40 years, regular short stories throughout the week on Radio 4 are no more. However, the strength of feeling shown by listeners and writers around the world did lead to some concessions - so keep listening to the stories that are broadcast on Fridays at 3.45pm and Sundays at 7.45pm.

Radio 4 has been a fantastic champion of the short story and short story writers for many years. It provides one of very few opportunities in the UK for both new and established writers to have their short stories broadcast to a large national audience, and for radio listeners to enjoy readings of the short story form.

As our national public service broadcaster we look to the BBC to continue its unparalleled commitment to the short story, and to writers, readers and listeners of short stories.

We the undersigned urge Gwyneth Williams, Controller of BBC Radio 4, to reverse the decision to reduce the short story output on Radio 4.

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