The National Union of Journalists has condemned the BBC’s decision to cut 360 jobs from its online services, accusing the corporation of ‘showing contempt’to staff.
The BBC confirmed yesterday that staff jobs would go as part of £34m cuts to its annual online budget.
Jeremy Dear, NUJ general secretary, said:
“The attack on BBC jobs and online services shows the BBC’s contempt for hard working staff. It makes no sense to cut back the BBC website as increasing numbers of people rely on the internet. The NUJ will not stand by idly if members are forced out of their jobs.
‘Mark Thompson has turned logic on its head by announcing the cuts with a declaration that ‘BBC Online has been a brilliant success’.
‘The cuts in jobs and online content will seriously damage a service which has won widespread public support and is the envy of commercial competitors.‘The BBC proposals fly in the face of public support for the online service.
‘The BBC’s own public consultation showed that 46 per cent of people supported the online services and there was strong public opposition to a reduction in service.
‘The BBC Online Review which has resulted in the cuts proposals was not subject to any public consultation and seriously damages the BBC’s reputation for quality.”
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