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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

BBC NI: Up to 40 jobs at risk and flagship programme cancelled

The removal of BBC Radio Foyle's breakfast show and the loss of 35-40 posts are among the proposals being put forward by BBC NI in an effort to reduce costs.

It comes as the public broadcaster faces pressure to save money across the board.

BBC NI confirmed to Belfast Live that the breakfast-time news programme on BBC Radio Foyle and Inside Business on BBC Radio Ulster could be affected by the changes.

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In a statement, BBC NI said it hopes the vast majority of job losses will be secured through voluntary redundancies.

"It is hoped the majority of post closures will be achieved through voluntary redundancy, with some opportunities for redeployment within BBC Northern Ireland," the statement said.

"The proposals are now subject to consultation with staff and trade unions."

It went on to add that the plans come as part of a wider policy to refocus on digital content.

"Local investment in BBC iPlayer will be increased as a result of these proposals, but there will also be output and staffing reductions in news, audio and related areas," BBC NI said.

Adam Smyth, Interim Director, BBC Northern Ireland, said: “These are challenging times and we face some difficult choices, none of which are easy.

"We have to find monies to maintain and develop our local presence on BBC iPlayer and to absorb cost pressures across different aspects of our work.

"Our concern in all of this will be to safeguard audience value and benefit and to remain mindful of the impact that this announcement will have on BBC staff in Northern Ireland.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, Stephen Nolan has said that staff at Radio Foyle have been told there are eight jobs at risk in the newsroom.

The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood claimed on Mr Nolan's show that Radio Foyle would not come on air until 1pm during the day with a half-hour news bulletin.

"When you put this in context, there's about 650 staff in BBC Northern Ireland, the vast, vast majority of them, I think about 625 of them, are based in Belfast," he said.

"What we're seeing is the massive percentage cut to Radio Foyle - what they're doing here and they've tried to do this before, is gutting Radio Foyle to the point where it will become unsustainable.

"There are people who live outside of the Greater Belfast area and they should not be treated like this and those local staff and journalists in Derry should not be treated like this."

Mr Eastwood went on to say that the proposals would basically close Radio Foyle, such was the reduced capacity being put forward.

"The impact in Derry will effectively end up closing the station," he said.

"Over half of the newsroom staff in Foyle are going and the flagship programme is going.

"Anybody knows that once you remove a flagship programme, you're basically removing the station.

"This is an attempt to close down Radio Foyle by stealth."

Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, told the programme that it was sad news on Tuesday morning.

"Well that's very disappointing," he said.

"Inside Business was an opportunity to go under the bonnet and go into greater detail about some of the big issues around the economy and business.

"So it is a sad loss and likewise the Radio Foyle Breakfast Show.

"Business has a key role in society here and I think we've lost an important platform."

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