BBC to axe 450 newsroom employees

BBC to axe 450 newsroom employees

In a drive to reorganise one of the oldest media outlet-the management of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is planning to retrench 450 newsroom employees. It is part of the plan to adapt to" changing audience needs."   "The BBC has to face up to the changing way audiences are using us," Fran Unsworth, director of news and current affairs, said in a statement.

Under the proposed plan- The "Victoria Derbyshire" morning show will be axed, with other job losses coming from a reduction in the number of films produced by flagship news programme "Newsnight". Other jobs will be lost at radio station 5 Live, and there will be a review of the number of presenters working for the broadcaster.

The director news and current affairs said in a statement that “the BBC has to face up to the changing way audiences are using us.  We have to adapt and ensure we continue to be the world's most trusted news organisation, but crucially, one which is also relevant for the people we are not currently reaching."

The BBC management wants to save approximately $104 million to increase spending on digital broadcasting. She said that BBC wants to focus more on digital broadcasting than the traditional liner. The traditional television broadcast is not very popular with young people between the ages of 16 to 34 years old. It is part of an effort to keep the young audience.

In a statement she said that "The BBC newsroom will be reorganised along a 'story-led' model, focusing on news stories more than on programmes or platforms. This is designed to reduce duplication and to ensure that BBC journalism is making as much impact as possible with a variety of audiences."

BBC boss Tony Hall announced to resign in next months after being criticised for not making necessary changes in economic model of BBC.  The media industry is facing challenges due to the new ways have emerged to access news and entertainment. The 68 years old Tony Hall served seven years at BBC- he said the reason of departure from BBC that new leadership required to lead the negotiations with the government in the middle of the decade over its future funding and status.

                                                         Web desk