Global Courant
LONDON
On Wednesday, nearly 1,000 journalists launched a two-day industrial action against the BBC’s plan to reduce local radio services in the country.
To protest the BBC’s plans for 39 local radio stations to share more programmes, journalists working at BBC Local went on strike from 00:00 on Wednesday to 23:59 local time on Thursday, according to a statement by the National Union of Journalists. organizes (NUJ).
“Wednesday and Thursday’s strikes followed journalists’ industrial action in March and stalled negotiations with the BBC, whose proposals have failed to address NUJ’s concerns about the impact of fewer services and increased joint programmes,” the union said in a statement. Tuesday.
The association’s national broadcast organizer, Paul Siegert, said BBC Local staff were striking to defend services valued by communities across the country.
“This 48-hour strike is about journalists standing up for local radio services, and the public stood behind members in their fight to keep local radio local,” he added.
As the strike began, journalists gathered in strike rows outside local radio offices in the UK, including in Brighton, Kent and Newcastle.
Meanwhile, the union said they are holding a parliamentary lobby on Wednesday.
“We are clearly disappointed with the outcome of the NUJ vote,” said a BBC spokesperson, following the union’s decision to strike last month.
“Our goal is a local TV, radio and online service that adds more value to communities,” the spokesperson added.
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