BBC Could Axe Hundreds of Jobs

Although not much more will be official until October 17th, 2007, TheTimesOnline.co.uk reports that the BBC has threatened to release over a fifth of their workforce where news reporting is concerned, possibly affecting 600 people just prior to Christmastime.

Axe Pink Slip

The National Union of Journalists came forward today with the news that potentially more than 1/5 of the BBCs news journalists are at risk of losing their jobs, with the flagship One O'Clock News under threat in swingeing cuts scheduled to be unveiled next week.

TimesOnline.co.uk published a story detailing that Jeremy Dear, the general secretary, said he believed that "600 to 700 jobs are at risk", out of a total of 3,000, a level that if formally proposed will almost certainly lead to strikes at the corporation in the run-up to Christmas.

Other union sources said they had heard "credible reports" that "the One O'Clock News will go", with the bulletin replaced by a half-hour feed taken from the BBC News 24 channel.

A decision by Mark Thompson to make cuts at BBC News, including the elimination of the separate One O'Clock News programme, is likely to generate political concern.

Further rumors are circulating that after this round of cuts is made, another several thousand may follow. Job losses, as noted, are expected to be in the realm of 2,600 across the board, but this number will not be confirmed until October 17th.

Union leaders also gave warning this morning of a possible 72-hour strike, amid widespread speculation that 2,600 jobs could go at the BBC, mostly in the next two years.

Do you live in the UK or work for the BBC as a journalist? How will these potential changes affect you?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts,

Stephanie