BBC Radio 2 staff members have been warned over their social media conduct, with bosses cautioning employees not to like tweets that criticise the station.
They said DJs find it “challenging” to see staff members support posts that claim that the station is “going down the toilet” and was “much better in the old days”.
In recent years, numerous older presents have left the station, with a string of younger hosts being pulled in to replace them.
Listeners have slammed BBC Radio 2 for trying to target a new audience, alienating their current demographic in the process.
Older presenters like Ken Bruce, 72, have been replaced by younger DJs such as Vernon Kay, 49, prompting criticism
PA
The warning was given by Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas during an online meeting. She said that by “liking” and retweeting negative messages, staff were upsetting presenters.
She has ordered staff to be “aware” of their social media footprint, despite their personal views on the station.
Another manager, Julian Vaccari, highlighted phrases such as “things are going down the toilet at Radio 2” as an example of the type of negative content staff members had been endorsing.
Last year, broadcasting legend Ken Bruce, 72, left the station to join Greatest Hits Radio. He was replaced by Vernon Kay, 49, however, since Bruce’s departure, audience figures have dropped by one million.
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Ken Bruce left Radio 2 after hosting for 31 yearsPAIn a statement, the BBC said: “Radio 2 remains the UK's most popular radio station with 13.5 million loyal listeners who tune in each week to the best music from the past seven decades, presented by some of the country's most loved presenters.”
Speaking about his exit, Bruce said: “The new job has started and I'm really enjoying it. If I look back, I think I stayed too long there (the BBC).
“That's the over-riding feeling I have. Maybe I should have done this sooner, as it does refresh and re-energise you. I am feeling like this is a new chapter, I'm trying to climb again, not decline.
A Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas told staff to stop "liking" and sharing negative social media posts
PA“I'm sorry to be leaving Radio 2 but I had been there a long time. Sometimes you feel it is time to move. I wanted to try something else while I am young and alive enough!”
Steve Wright, 60, also had his afternoon show axed in 2022, to be replaced with former Radio 1 presenter Scott Mills, 50. Wright still broadcasts Sunday Love Songs and other specials on the network.
A BBC Radio 2 spokesperson told The Mirror: “Radio 2 is hugely proud of having a range of presenters from their 30s to 80 years old on the station, an age range which hasn’t changed in decades, in fact, Ken Bruce started presenting on Radio 2 at the age of 33.
“Radio 2 will continue to be a multi-generational radio station that serves a 35+ audience, a target audience which also hasn't changed in decades.”