Keith, if you take the time to read the links you posted and think about the BBC remits then folk music is being badly represented.

Folk music is a national heritage across the English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish. As such it should get coverage.

Opera and classical get more TV coverage on the Beeb than folk - why? Probably because that is the things that wannabe ministers/councillors/high-ups like to be seen preening at. They love the snob value. Without researching I don't believe the Arts Council puts much into folk music, but they certainly do into the other two, oh and add ballet to that list.

I don't disagree with the Asians, Blacks or whatever minority getting coverage, but at least give the same privelage to a home-based movement.