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BBC is risking irreparable damage to 'the best journalism in the world'
NUJ statement
DATELINE: 7/10/11
BBC management today (6 October) said that the BBC provides "the best journalism in the world" but the cuts outlined this morning risk irreparable damage to the much-loved and internationally admired BBC. The full details of the cuts – which include slashing 2,000 jobs across the BBC - are still emerging as local managers meet with staff across the UK this afternoon to explain the proposals in detail.
The cuts announcement are a direct result of the licence fee settlement clinched behind closed doors last autumn between the Coalition Government and BBC management. The deal froze the licence fee until 2017 and introduced new funding responsibilities for the BBC including the World Service, S4C, BBC Monitoring, local TV and broadband. The announcement represents a 20% cut over 5 years – this is in addition to the 7,000 jobs already lost at the BBC since 2004.
As part of the programme of cuts there will be reductions to business coverage, investigative journalism and foreign news. Between 700-800 jobs will be lost in BBC News. Hundreds of jobs are also at risk in Scotland and Wales. The proposals outline 20% cuts to 5Live news and plans to reduce the number of specialist reporters on local radio. Other areas under attack include regional current affairs programmes and the Asian Network.
Conditions of staff have also been severely hit – plans include cuts to staff allowances, redundancy terms and re-grading and moves towards statutory redundancy consultation periods and performance related pay. New staff will also be expected to work for substantially lower salaries with worse terms and conditions at work. This will create a two-tier workforce at the BBC.
The plans for staff signal a race to the bottom in terms of working standards for people employed in the media and creative industries.
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary said: "This is a watershed moment in BBC history. We are stunned that BBC news, BBC radio and quality journalism have received a disproportionate hit today. The cuts risk irreparable damage to the BBC and will inevitably compromise quality journalism and programming.
"The proposals represent an attack on all staff at the BBC and if the plans are implemented they will create a two-tier workforce. They signal a race to the bottom in terms of standards for staff employed at the BBC.
"The cuts will also go way beyond the 2,000 job losses announced today –the BBC is the driver of the UK's creative industries and many small independent companies will face an uncertain future as a result. Actors, musicians and writers will also be victims as the reverberations are felt amongst the creative and media industries.
"Currently the BBC spans the world with well-respected, accurate and reliable information and news. Public service broadcasting is a bench mark for a democratic society and informed citizenship. NUJ members are committed to defending jobs and quality journalism at the BBC and we are asking readers, listeners and viewers to join with us in this battle."
Last modified: Friday, October 7, 2011
Your comments:
These cuts do not go far enough, this hideous left wing extremist propaganda outfit should be closed down once and for all.
Posted by: Mike: 31 Jul, 2012 13:54:08
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Previous 'future of the BBC...' stories
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Events & Announcements
World Press Freedom Day
More reporters are currently imprisoned in Turkey than in any other country in the world. Only a matter of weeks ago lawyers failed to persuade a Turkish court to release a 76-year-old journalist from a Turkish internet news station.
World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3, 2013 is being marked in Britain by a rally to highlight the dangers facing journalists in Turkey and in this podcast, Nicholas Jones speaks to Barry White, Organiser at the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Sam Bamford, the TUC's policy officer for Eastern Europe and Africa about the importance of a campaign to highlight international press freedom.
The World Press Freedom Day rally is being staged by the National Union of Journalists at the NUJ head office, Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 on Thursday May 2, 6pm-8pm.
DATELINE: 27/4/13
UK launch of EU media campaign
DATELINE: 13/3/13
The UK launch of a 'European Citizens' Initiative' calling for EU rules against concentration of media power will take place on Thursday March 21 from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Committee Room 4A at the House of Lords, London. Guest speakers will include actor and activist Hugh Grant (pictured), media consultant Claire Enders, Professor Steven Barnett, Barry McCall (President of the NUJ) and Marc Gruber (Director of the European Federation of Journalists).
A European Citizens' Initiative is an official petition, like a Downing Street petition. If it succeeds in gathering a million signatures across the EU, the Commission is obliged to respond.
This petition calls for the EU to act to protect media pluralism and press freedom.
CPBF Annual General Meeting
DATELINE: 1/3/13
Make a note in your diary
Saturday 13 July 2013 from 10.00am
NUJ HQ, 308/312 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1.
Leveson, media ownership, CPBF future work.
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DATELINE: 26/3/10
Papers from the Media for All Conference
MEDIA MANIFESTO
DATELINE: 26/3/10
The media’s job is to inform and entertain us but we rely on them too to tell us what our rulers and representatives are up to. In the run-up to the Iraq war the government used spin and disinformation in the media to create panic and mislead people. The truth is coming out now, but we need stronger, more independent media to be able to scrutinise governments and make informed choices.
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Previous stories
'future Of The BBC...'
The BBC is not part of the problem raised by Hackgate
Supporters speak out against the closure of BBC World Service radio in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe
BBC – getting its capitulation in first
Union members at the BBC are still willing to fight to defend pensions
Licence fee for 'wasteful' BBC will be cut
BBC Trust rejects 6 Music closure but the campaign goes on
BBC 'failing to provide alternative to commercialised US children's programmes'
Fighting the BBC cuts gets parliamentary support
BBC cuts - make your voice heard
NUJ pledges to fight BBC cuts package
BBC announcement is capitulation to Murdoch
Minister gets the message over licence fee
Dyke in BBC 'conspiracy' claim
BBC's future: a welcome dose of reality
Is BBC News online "next in line" for Conservative cuts?
Keeping Broadcasting Public
Keep Broadcasting Public - Victoria Brittain
Keep broadcasting public - Brendan Barber
Keep broadcasting public - Dr. Georgina Born
A view from the Guardian
Keep Broadcasting Public - observer's report
Keep broadcasting public - Tom O'Malley
Keep broadcasting public - James Purnell MP
BBC Conference Warns Against Complacency
Green Paper, white in parts
Ofcom's remedy is not ours...
Conference presentations can now be read here...
Ofcom's mission to destroy...
First cut or narrow escape?
PSB matters says Ofcom spokesman
