NUJ World Service campaign gathers pace

An NUJ campaign to save 10 language services under threat at BBC World Service is gathering support in Parliament.
An Early Day Motion tabled by the NUJ Parliamentary Group expressing concern at the decision of the Government and the BBC to silence broadcasts in important parts of Europe, Thailand and Kazakhstan has attracted signatures from 44 MPs across all major parties.
Money saved by the closure of the 10 services will be used to help fund a new BBC Arabic TV station but, while there is support for the new channel, the closures have caused a national outcry.
Austin Mitchell MP, Chair of the NUJ Parliamentary Group, said: “This announcement is deeply damaging both to the standing of the UK in the world and for the provision of honest and objective news to other nations and peoples.
“The BBC should re-consider its decision and Foreign Office funding to it should be expanded rather than cut back.”
John McDonnell MP, Secretary of the NUJ Parliamentary Group, argued: “The BBC is an independent and globally respected force for objective and investigative reporting. It is not acceptable to hand over these key elements of public service broadcasting and news production to private companies whose priority is the search for profit.
“The new Arabic news channel is welcome, but this is giving with one hand while taking away from the other. Beneath the positive headline is hidden a devastating cutback in the BBC's international service and reputation.
"Before it departs office, New Labour is intent on opening up the whole of the public sector to the market, whatever damage that may cause. The NUJ Parliamentary Group will fight in solidarity with the union against these unnecessary cuts and any threat of compulsory redundancies."
The NUJ is calling on all members to send the attached letter to their MP explaining why they should sign the motion.
(GB)