We are thrilled to announce today that David Dunning is joining YorkMix.
David, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster with 33 years’ experience, is coming on board just days after reading his final bulletin on Minster FM.
He was with the station for seven years, during which time he transformed its online news operation into one of the most trusted in York and North Yorkshire.
David was part of the team which turned Minster FM into a hugely-valued community station for York – enjoying record ratings – before new owners Bauer decided to pull the plug and replace it with Greatest Hits Radio.
David will bring his distinctive voice, fantastic contacts book and unrivalled eye for a story to further boost YorkMix‘s free and independent news coverage.
Walked away
David had the opportunity to stay with Bauer, but chose to walk away.
“Minster FM was all about the people,” he said today.
“One of the reasons why I was so well-connected and well-informed was because the team – including Ben, Laura, David, Victoria, Tim, Bridget, Cat, Patrick and Harry, plus the sales team – were so much part of the community.
“They all lived in the patch, and their experience and community links contributed to the success of Minster FM news both on air and online.
“The end of that team, and, I’m sorry to say, the toxic atmosphere created by Bauer in the city and the county, made it impossible for me to consider staying on.”
Run by a team of York residents from the heart of the city, YorkMix mirrors that Minster FM experience. While David was news editor there, we struck up an informal news partnership, sharing leads, stories and pictures.
“This has helped us both to grow into one of the major news providers in the city,” David said.
“Now the local news on Minster has all but gone, it makes absolute sense for me to join YorkMix.”
Serious questions
David’s move means he has worked for all of the main news outlets in York – the York Press, BBC Radio York, Minster FM and now YorkMix.
While hugely disappointed by the end of Minster, David said he didn’t blame Bauer for pursuing their dream.
“It’s not Bauer’s fault – it’s the fault of the regulator Ofcom. They have allowed a local network to be dismantled.
“I know many MPs have woken up to this, and are asking serious questions about what Ofcom has permitted to happen.”
Editor of YorkMix, Chris Titley said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled that David is joining us.
“He is a brilliant journalist who regularly breaks exclusive stories, and covers the news with great energy and compassion.
“David’s terrific knowledge of the city, his contacts, and his ability to tell a story in words, audio and video will be a huge boon to YorkMix and our readers.
“His track record speaks for itself – most recently, he massively increased Minster’s online news reach. At a time when our own audience is growing fast – reaching one million hits in four weeks for the first time this summer – David will only accelerate our growth.
“David: welcome aboard!”
Before settling in York, David broadcast on radio stations up and down the country. He was the youngest ever host on BBC Radio 2, and was part of the team that won the Sony Gold Award for Radio York’s coverage of the 2000 floods. Read more here.