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Better back BBC - BEAU

THE FREELANCE urges readers to sign a petition backing the BBC and opposing cuts.

It has been launched by the Broadcasting, Entertainment & Arts Unions (BEAU) - which includes Bectu, Equity, the Musicians' Union, the NUJ, and The Writers' Guild of Great Britain and Unite.

It demands that the BBC remain “universally funded and accessible to all... worker representation and no more political appointees on the BBC board... the BBC being the gold standard on employment rights: driving up pay, terms and conditions, and generating opportunities for workers across the country. The constant cycle of cuts and cost-saving must end. Public services only work when we invest in them and the people who provide them.”

It responds to plans to slash around 2,000 jobs - around one in ten.

NUJ General Secretary Laura Davison says: “The NUJ sends solidarity to workers across the BBC and will continue to work with sister unions and our parliamentary group in campaigning, lobbying, and organising to resist these disastrous proposals.”

Meanwhile the Freelance finds a threat to the existence of the BBC buried in a UK government consultation and urges you to respond to that before 31 August, defending its existence even if it has its flaws.

What are public service media in the age of TikTok? notes on responding to a consultation

Back workers. Back our BBC. megaphone.org.uk from the TUC

NUJ and sister unions launch public petition to protect BBC and its workers nuj.org.uk