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NUJ hits back at David Cameron criticism of BBC strike NUJ hits back at David Cameron criticism of BBC strike
(7 months later)
The National Union of Journalists has hit back at David Cameron after the prime minister suggested there were no grounds for Monday's 24-hour walkout at the BBC over cost-cutting measures.The National Union of Journalists has hit back at David Cameron after the prime minister suggested there were no grounds for Monday's 24-hour walkout at the BBC over cost-cutting measures.
Cameron angered some BBC journalists by appearing to dismiss concerns over plans to reduce costs by 20%, or about £700m over the next five years.Cameron angered some BBC journalists by appearing to dismiss concerns over plans to reduce costs by 20%, or about £700m over the next five years.
Speaking as BBC journalists forced flagship shows including BBC2's Newsnight and Radio 4's Today off the air on Monday, Cameron maintained that the BBC was a well-funded broadcaster and described the contentious 2010 licence fee deal as "fair".Speaking as BBC journalists forced flagship shows including BBC2's Newsnight and Radio 4's Today off the air on Monday, Cameron maintained that the BBC was a well-funded broadcaster and described the contentious 2010 licence fee deal as "fair".
On Tuesday, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, accused Cameron's government of setting the BBC on "a path to decline" and of misunderstanding the value of quality programming.On Tuesday, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, accused Cameron's government of setting the BBC on "a path to decline" and of misunderstanding the value of quality programming.
"David Cameron has criticised the BBC strike but he knows the price of everything and the value of nothing," Stanistreet said."David Cameron has criticised the BBC strike but he knows the price of everything and the value of nothing," Stanistreet said.
"We are campaigning for quality journalism and against job cuts – we got fantastic support for the strike action. The prime minister's comments confirm what we all know – he's clueless about the need for working people to fight for jobs and public services.""We are campaigning for quality journalism and against job cuts – we got fantastic support for the strike action. The prime minister's comments confirm what we all know – he's clueless about the need for working people to fight for jobs and public services."
Stanistreet called on incoming director general Lord Hall to push for a renegotiation of the licence fee settlement, which froze the BBC's funding – including the £145.50 licence fee – until 2017 and saw the corporation take on extra responsibilities, such as the World Service.Stanistreet called on incoming director general Lord Hall to push for a renegotiation of the licence fee settlement, which froze the BBC's funding – including the £145.50 licence fee – until 2017 and saw the corporation take on extra responsibilities, such as the World Service.
"The deal, clinched behind closed doors in 2010, froze the licence fee and foisted an additional £340m of spending commitments on the BBC, setting the corporation on a path of decline that threatens our world-acclaimed public service broadcaster," she added."The deal, clinched behind closed doors in 2010, froze the licence fee and foisted an additional £340m of spending commitments on the BBC, setting the corporation on a path of decline that threatens our world-acclaimed public service broadcaster," she added.
"We're seeing the impact of those cuts now, and thanks to the strategic decisions of senior BBC management they're translating into a clear attack on quality programming and journalism at the BBC.""We're seeing the impact of those cuts now, and thanks to the strategic decisions of senior BBC management they're translating into a clear attack on quality programming and journalism at the BBC."
The BBC has said that a total of 2,000 jobs will be lost as a result of its Delivering Quality First (DQF) review, introduced to identify potential savings after the licence fee settlement.The BBC has said that a total of 2,000 jobs will be lost as a result of its Delivering Quality First (DQF) review, introduced to identify potential savings after the licence fee settlement.
The corporation said on Monday that there had been 153 compulsory redundancies since 2010, and that 554 employees had taken voluntary redundancy in the same period.The corporation said on Monday that there had been 153 compulsory redundancies since 2010, and that 554 employees had taken voluntary redundancy in the same period.
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