BBC News Channel reprieved after pressure

IF THE BBC had gone ahead with plans for its News Channel to disappear, Sky would have been left with a domestic monopoly in continuous UK television news.

The NUJ believes both the News Channel and the BBC World News channel play important and different roles. As part of its campaign for retention of the News Channel the union submitted ideas that could save millions of pounds across the newsroom by reducing waste and duplication, while safeguarding jobs and services. The NUJ encouraged members to sign a petition and to encourage their MPs to sign a parliamentary Early Day Motion in defence of maintaining the channels' separate identities and output.

And when the proposal went before the BBC News executive board in July, it was rejected.

NUJ broadcasting organiser Sue Harris said: "This is good news and I am pleased the BBC has acknowledged that the two channels provide distinct services. I would also like to thank Martine Croxall and David Campanale, our reps at the News Channel and BBC World, and both chapels for their amazing campaign to save the channel and to all the MPs, peers and other supporters who wrote to the BBC in its defence."

Pressure has paid off.

But Sue had to continue: "We are being told it will mean 10 per cent cuts: the union is prepared to discuss with management how savings can be made without reducing the headcount."