BBC journalists have gone on strike again - taking local news bulletins off the air and hitting Radio Suffolk programmes.

They are in dispute with the corporation over the plans to bring in deep cuts to local broadcasting.

These have already seen the closure of Look East's Cambridge newsroom which has led to the programme's area being extended to include part of the East Midlands and South East of England.

 

 

 

And over the next few weeks the BBC will be amalgamating most of its regional radio coverage - leaving Radio Suffolk broadcasting its own programmes only eight hours a day between Monday and Friday.

The strike began at midnight and journalists are due back at work on Friday. It follows an earlier walkout in March.

The NUJ said negotiations with the BBC had “stalled”, adding that the proposals have failed to address the union’s concerns about the impact of fewer services, and an increase in shared programmes.

Paul Siegert, the NUJ’s national broadcasting organiser, said: “Journalists are striking in defence of services that are valued by communities across the country.

“We do not oppose change within the BBC but believe the manner in which the Digital First strategy is being enforced will destroy access to relevant, local radio that so many rely on.

“This 48-hour strike is about journalists standing up for local radio services, and the public have rallied behind members in their fight to keep local radio local.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We understand this is a difficult period of change for many colleagues and we will continue to support everyone affected by the plans to strengthen our local online services across news and audio.

“Our goal is to deliver a local service across TV, radio and online that offers more value to more people in more local communities."