LOCAL radio journalists are to stage a 24-hour strike in a dispute over cuts.
BBC journalists in England will take action from midnight on May 5 to coincide with the reporting of local election results.
BBC journalists in England will go on strike from midnight on May 5[/caption]
The National Union of Journalists claims the broadcaster’s plans to share shows across the network will “kill off local radio”.
Paul Siegert, the NUJ’s national broadcasting organiser, said: “To go from over 100 hours a week of local programming on every station to 40 is unacceptable.”
The BBC said there would be no overall reduction in staffing levels or funding.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed that the industrial action is taking place.
“We have a plan to modernise local services across England – including more news journalists and a stronger local online service – which will see no overall reduction in staffing levels or local funding.