06 Informed Update BBC braced for cuts Mark Tomas


BBC members are braced for yet another restructure – meaning cuts – at the corporation. Te director general Tim Davie’s plans


for creating a “leaner” organisation because of a “black hole” in the funding were put on hold during the run-up to the general election. In her report to the NEC, Sian Jones, national broadcasting officer, noted more parts of the BBC were expected to be moved to its commercial arm, BBC Studios, taking them out of the public service remit regulated by the watchdog Ofcom. Tis had prompted the NUJ to identify and strengthen membership there to create an active chapel, as well as stepping up lobbying the BBC for union recognition. Te effects of the cuts and


reorganisation at BBC local radio are being monitored by the NUJ. Michelle Stanistreet told the NEC the loss of popular presenters and less bespoke local news appeared to be reflected in listening figures. In May’s RAJAR figures, the official body which measures radio audiences reported local radio down 10 per cent year on year and 2 per cent quarter on quarter.


Sian Jones said: “Te unique space that BBC local radio provides for truly local


Tim Davie, BBC director general, at the IFJ London conference last month. He said people needed to fight for public service broadcasting, yet has promised a leaner BBC


news, sport and community content is being squeezed, with audiences losing out. While we welcome the growth in audience numbers for local BBC digital content, we continue to argue for local radio programming which meets both Ofcom and community needs.” Te increasing use of MoJo kits (mobile journalism), where reporters use apps on their portable devices to record and edit, has also caused concern among members, especially as the general election accelerated their use for TV live


coverage. In some cases it has meant reporters working without back-up at a time when broadcasters have been targets for abuse. Te NUJ raised concerns with management and the practice was stopped. Sian said: “Our NUJ reps acted fast to resolve the situation.”


Te BBC’s 3 per cent across-the-board


pay increase takes effect in August, with additional upliſts for pay progression, but negotiating freelance rates is ongoing and proving frustrating.


Other TV news …


ITV has renewed a 10-year public service broadcast licence, providing stability for staff, however, cost controls announced in February and reviewed in June have been extended to the end of the year. Tese include restrictions such as a freeze on hiring staff


and not renewing short- term contracts. Another major concern for staff is the significant stress caused by problems with a new technology package, with “disaster recovery” training now a regular feature because of failures in the system.


A reorganisation of roles and shiſts at ITN, paused by the election, will continue. Te chapel held two well- atended meetings and the union has had talks with management. Pay talks at Red Bee are


drawing to a close as the company continues to struggle financially. Staff at Al Jazeera were forced to accept a 1 per cent rise,


although the union did persuade the company to pay for gym membership and commit to exploring other benefits. Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, criticised RTÉ’s plans to become a publisher-broadcaster with more outsourced programming, saying it would undermine the nation’s cultural landscape.


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