Informed 05


Broadcasting Hands off our BBC


BBC


any and every compulsory redundancy and would help him find an alternative post; the union would be launching a broad-based campaign to defend the corporation.


It was a packed room of BBC reps at the NUJ’s London headquarters, just days aſter an announcement of 450 job cuts in the news division, who heard from the NUJ rep on Victoria Derbyshire’s show how members of the team learned that their jobs would go from a story in Te Times. He was assured the NUJ would fight


It isn’t the first time the BBC has been atacked, but in a response to the jobs announcement which brings the total to more than 500 cuts – 70 from the World Service, 380 from news and 60 from Network Radio – Michelle Stanistreet said it amounted to an existential threat at the same time the broadcaster faced an ideological atack from the heart of government. Newsnight is losing 12 posts and cuts


to its investigative journalism budget, 12 posts are to go at 5Live and there will be more sharing of radio bulletins across the BBC, with a loss of 12 posts. Te meeting pledged to resist by all means, including industrial action, any atempt to impose compulsory redundancies and any measures


adversely affecting journalistic quality and the ability to respond to 24/7 breaking news. Its statement said: “If the BBC needs to save money it should urgently address the number of senior managers and levels of executive pay and create a more transparent and flater pay structure.” It said the next director general – Tony Hall had announced his early departure – must champion public service broadcastings and robustly resist political interference. Te reps decried “ill-informed and


crass atempts by managers within the BBC” to blame the equal pay setlements on the funding crisis. Culpability was laid squarely on Tony Hall, whose secret licence fee deal with the government led to the BBC taking on payment of free licence fees for the over-75s. Te reps were urged to take part in the DCMS inquiry into decriminalisation of non-payment of the licence fee; the BBC estimates this would cost £200m. Te proposal will send out the message that paying for a TV licence is voluntary and is intended to be a backdoor route to dismantle the BBC.


Subs offer


A discount on membership is being offered at the BBC which runs from Saturday 1 February to Wednesday 1 April. New joiners will get six months’ membership for half the normal price. Tis discount is not available to those who have leſt the union in the previous 12 months. Tere will be a recruitment drive at BBC Wales on 1 April. Join the NUJ: htps:// www.nuj.org.uk/join/ P10 Is it payback time for the BBC?


Radio Rupert News UK is to launch Times Radio, providing a daily


schedule of news, analysis and commentary, later this year. Te station will broadcast nationally on DAB and online. BBC News deputy political editor John Pienaar will present the drivetime show. Te Murdoch-owned station will target BBC Radio 4 and 5 Live listeners. TalkRadio was fined


£75,000 by watchdog Ofcom aſter it found presenter George Galloway broke impartiality rules. Te former MP was sacked by the station last year. TalkRadio argued it should not be hit with a large sum as very few people listened to the show.


Iranian threats Journalists working for the UK-based broadcaster Iran International, as well as BBC Persian staff, have been subjected to new threats by the Iranian authorities, as have their family members living in Iran.


Te union is supporting members and liaising with the Foreign Office. It is also pushing for union recognition at Iran International.


Al Jazeera English Staff have roundly rejected a proposed performance- related pay system based on appraisals instead of


collectively bargained deals across the board. Discussions with the management continue. Morale is very low at the broadcaster and a recent stress survey showed alarming results. Two years ago, the union brokered a 9 per cent pay rise.


High 5s Channel 5, owned by Viacom CBS Networks International, has renewed a three-year contract with ITN to produce 5 News. Te deal follows ITN securing a four-year contract to continue producing ITV News and ITV News London last year.


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