What happened to the east view tonight? A strike by BBC journalists interrupts broadcasts of Look East and Radio Suffolk, affecting local news and radio programmes.
What happened to the east view tonight?
BBC journalists took a stand again, going on strike and causing local news to be cut, while also affecting Radio Suffolk’s programmes. The root of the dispute lies in the BBC’s plans to significantly reduce local broadcasting. These cuts have already resulted in the closure of Look East’s Cambridge newsroom, forcing the programme’s coverage area to expand to include parts of the East Midlands and South East England.
In the coming weeks, the BBC will further consolidate most of its regional radio coverage, leaving Radio Suffolk with just eight hours of its own weekday programme. The strike began at midnight, and journalists are expected to return to work on Friday, after walking out in March.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said that negotiations with the BBC have stalled. The proposed changes did not address union concerns about the impact of reduced services and increased joint programs.
Paul Siegert, NUJ’s National Broadcasting Organiser, stressed that journalists were striking to protect services valued by communities across the country. While they are not opposed to changes within the BBC, they believe that the implementation of the Digital First strategy will adversely affect access to relevant local radio that countless people rely on. During this 48-hour strike, journalists stand up for local radio services, gaining public support in the fight to preserve the essence of local radio.
In response, a BBC spokesperson acknowledged the challenging nature of the changes and pledged support for all those affected by the plans. The ultimate goal is to strengthen local online services across news and audio, providing a valuable and accessible local service to a wider audience in diverse communities.
Why is Look East on strike?
Tensions are rising as BBC journalists go on strike, opposing the corporation’s plans to implement significant cuts to local broadcasting. The closure of Look East’s Cambridge newsroom has already taken place, leading to an expansion of the programme’s coverage area to cover parts of the East Midlands and South East England.
The BBC is to consolidate most of its regional radio coverage in the coming weeks, which will result in Radio Suffolk broadcasting its own programs for just eight hours a day on weekdays.
The strike began at midnight, and journalists are expected to return to work on Friday, after walking out in March. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) reports that negotiations with the BBC have broken down as the proposed changes do not address the union’s concerns about the impact of reduced services and increased joint programming.
Paul Siegert, NUJ’s National Broadcasting Organiser, emphasizes that journalists are taking a stand in defense of services valued by communities across the country. While they are not opposed to changes within the BBC, they believe that implementing a Digital First strategy will threaten the access to relevant local radio that many people rely on. This 48-hour strike is a joint effort by journalists to preserve local radio services, gathering public support for their cause.
In response, a BBC spokesperson acknowledged the challenges of this period of change for colleagues and assured continued support for those affected by plans to boost local online services through news and audio. The BBC’s aim is to provide a comprehensive local service across TV, radio and online platforms, with the aim of delivering greater value to diverse local communities.
What’s the latest news on the BBC journalists’ strike in the south?
BBC journalists went on strike for the third time this year on Thursday 20 July in protest against plans by the BBC to ax the local radio programme. The strike is organized by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which represents more than 1,000 BBC journalists in England. The NUJ says the BBC’s plans will “decimate” local radio and leave communities across England without the vital news and information they need.
Under the BBC’s plans, BBC Radio Solent’s weekday evening programs will be shared with Oxfordshire and Berkshire. At weekends, all shows on BBC Radio Solent will be shared with at least one of those two counties, and weekend evening programs such as Alex Dyke’s Disco Inferno and Richard Latto’s Stereo Underground will be replaced by national shows.
The NUJ’s local representative for BBC South, Tom Hepworth, said the BBC’s plans were a “betrayal of local communities”. “People listen to local radio because it’s local, it’s distinctive and it reflects where you live,” he said. “The BBC should ensure that it provides properly funded local news and ensure that the Government provides a stable funding model to enable this.”
A BBC spokesman said the BBC understood the strike would be “disruptive” to listeners, but that the plans were necessary to “ensure the BBC can continue to provide high-quality, impartial news and information to audiences across England”. The strike started on Thursday at 11 am and will last for 24 hours.
Disclaimer: The above information is for general information purposes only. All information on the website is provided in good faith, however we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the website.
Categories: General
Source: HIS Education