BBC journalists and technicians have begun a 24-hour strike following their row with management over job cuts. The action has had a major impact on BBC programmes, with Radio 4's flagship news programme Today replaced with pre-recorded material. BBC employees are protesting at plans to cut 3,780 jobs and privatise parts of the corporation. The corporation says they are needed so the BBC can invest more in programmes. What is your reaction to the BBC strike? What do you think of the plan to cut jobs? Send us your comments. This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
Don't the strikers realise that no-one is going to miss any of this or can get it for free elsewhere? The strike is just going to confirm in the viewers minds the position of the management that staff cuts are needed. An own goal by the strikers!
J.G., Scotland, U.K. The BBC staff are right to strike, both to defend their jobs but also to defend the quality of the BBC's output. To cut resources, particularly foreign cover, is madness.
Charles Brown, London Can they strike more often, I like the new presenters...!
Aaron, NZ An own goal? If it was 1950 the strike might have some effect. In 2005 there is so much available good broadcasting - on terrestial, digital, sattelite, cable, and internet that it is extremely easy to get news and entertainment elsewhere. And a day without the Today program - Priceless!
Dave M, USA / UK I thought BBC journalists were meant to be impartial across all news issues. So how can they raise objections to outsourcing and privatisation yet speak up for inefficient public sector operations ? Are they saying that the vast majority of the population (working in or running private industry) who also pay the licence fee and their wages are lesser mortals
John Addison, Macclesfield BBC is great the way it is now. It is independent, reliable and interesting. I would really like to have some BBC-like media here in Serbia.
Tomislav, Belgrade, Serbia I think it's disgraceful that BBC staff are striking - exactly what do we pay our license fee for? We pay it to be able to watch the BBCs programmes - not to be told on Sunday evening that we will not hear our local news the next day!
Tina Johnson, Studley, Warks I feel that the decision to strike is extremely regrettable - if things are this bad working for an organisation, then surely most of the employees would wish to leave anyway - or perhaps this is the point - they know when they are on to a good thing, and want the gravy train to continue.
Robert C, Sunderland, UK The BBC considers that its own 24-hour strike is the most important news of the day, ahead of yet more violence in Iraq and the worsening AIDS crisis in Africa (35% infection rate in an area I visited last week) among much else. What does this say about the BBC's and (I am ashamed to say) our priorities?
Jeremy Lefroy, Newcastle, Staffs Will we get a rebate on our licence fee for the reduced programming then?
Andy, Derby, UK I blame the programme schedulers - with all the recent series being nostalgic about the 1970s, it was bound to rub off on someone.
Jeremy Broadribb, Horsham, England Although the BBC News Staff are on strike, I would like to congratulate them on there excellent coverage of it.
Matt, Birmingham Yes, all BBC staff should go on strike - until they realise the public are satisfied with alternative news sources.
D.Thorpe, Weston Super Mare, UK I agree with one of the previous messages about the BBC belonging to us the license payers and not the workers. Job cuts happen all over the country in manufacturing and nobody cares so why should the BBC be any different.
Ricardo, Cleveland Instead of sacking a lot of mostly under-paid workers why don't they just axe Eastenders? The BBC does not have to worry about attracting advertising so why can't they provide interesting programmes and let the other channels churn out the mindless soaps.
Rob, London,UK If they don't like it then go and get another job. Stop moaning and accept changes.
Chris, Bristol I'ts a pity they don't go on an indefinite strike no one would notice.I'ts a shame the Goverment did'nt abolish this giant of a white elephant which has run it's day.
Pete, Plymouth It was quite peculiar waking up to a different Radio 4 line up- makes you realise how excellent the 'Today' show team are and also to the Breakfast News team. I fully support the strike, but only as long as I get to see my favourite show Eastenders!! I hope the situation can be resolved before next week's 48 hour strike!
Sairah, Tyne & Wear, UK Don't bother telling us when you are going to be striking...we'll hear about it on Sky News
Johnny Day, Bridgwater Just as surely as BBC staff have the 'right' to strike, do the licence fee paying public have the 'right' to withhold a pro-rata amount of their licence fee for services paid for but not received. Can they do this? No? Didn't think they could.
Paul Phillips, Birmingham UK I love the irony of all the people wanting a license fee refund who make their feelings known by writing comments on the BBC website.
Eccles, Cardiff, UK  |  The BBC is a dinosaur that has no place in the modern world. It should either be privatised or closed. |
For God's sake let them strike, let them do anything that will stop these savage cuts and leave us at the mercy of Rupert Murdoch.
G Yates, Australia The BBC is a world class organisation providing an objective and rational viewpoint. I fully support staff striking to defend this great British institution.
James, Brighton Other unions have served their members better by being realistic. Does the union not realise it's only got itself to blame? Their single minded obstinance to change has procluded them from the decison making process.
Bill, Manchester Thank you for a day off from unambitious breakfast drivel and tedious regional rubbish - looking forward to more "strikes" in the future
Frank, Wales Why should BBC workers be insulated against the real world? Scrap the licence fee and let the BBC fight it out like every other commercial outfit.
Phil, Waterlooville, England Staff are what makes a company successful. Too often companies are run with the Investor in mind rather than the staff. Staff are forced to remind Investors of their worth through striking, but we need a better system than strikes. Strikes are like nuclear weapons ... nobody wins!
Paul Tinsley, Guernsey, United Kingdom The BBC is a dinosaur that has no place in the modern world. It should either be privatised or closed.
Kevin T, Alton, UK Radio 4 was much more interesting this morning - Strike away !
Ian Baldwin, Buntingford England | No doubt cuts will do good to BBC in a long run. |
Yet another example of how public sector workers live in another world. The BBC just like every other government department is hopelessly over staffed and incredibly inefficient. Do the staff not realise if they do not modernise and reduce costs there will be increased pressure for the revoking of the BBC charter, then these redundancies will be seen as the walk in the park they are. Lets see the BBC survive in the real world.
Leigh Waller, Oxford, UK If you're cutting the jobs of the people who make Changing Rooms, Strictly Dance Fever and other such rubbish - then you're moving in the right direction!
Ollie Reed, Manchester, UK I think BBC staff should strike over cuts but BBC should continue its plan.Temporary pain can bring a brilliant future. No doubt cuts will do good to BBC in a long run.
Peter, Singapore I was very disappointed not to be able to see Breakfast this morning, as I rely on the BBC London news for travel updates - and Natasha is such a cheery face to see in the morning! However I totally understand the reasons for this strike. The corporation should spend less money on reality shows that nobody watches and instead invest in programmes that people actually want to watch?
Adam Seymour-Davies, London
This action will underline to the BBC just how little hardship they can now exert on the viewing public. This action may well be the beginning of the end for our beloved 'Auntie'.
Andrew Harrison, Wakefield, West Yorkshire No, the BBC staff who are paid by the licence payers including many who have been "down-sized" for economic reasons. They and the management are profligate with their assured income from the TV tax. However, I am disturbed that it is programme makers and developers and not the overpaid and largely talentless presenters who are being shed. Why does the early morning TV news needs two presenters, a news reader, a sports presenter and business correspondent?
Liz, England I wholeheartedly support the BBC strike, the BBC is so important to us that we forget. That is illustrated quite beautifully here with people demanding a licence fee refund on a BBC funded website. The BBC is a treasure that we are incredibly lucky to have and it must be preserved at all costs. I wish the strikers well.
James Bannerman, London If the strike stops privatisation of parts of the BBC then all well and good. However, please don't call for a replacement of the licence fee. The last thing we want is another onslaught of drivel that we see from Sky and ITV. The BBC far surpasses both in output quality and news coverage. Please preserve this for generations to come.
Graeme Van Leer, Swindon, UK The BBC may not be the best TV station in the world, but from my experience it's close. I fully support this strike, I think it's a disgrace that a public company has to be submitted to market laws as if it were a private company.
Patricia, UK 27,000 staff? What the hell do they all do, given that the tv schedules are cluttered with so many repeats? The sooner the BBC becomes leaner and fitter and gets back to quality before drivel, and away from paying a lot of untalented 'star' presenters and soap actors fortunes the better.
Robert, London, UK I support you. The BBC has been with me 30 years on five continents. You have entertained me, taught me, provided the latest news, and more often than not, you were a friendly voice in the English language. Don't go the way of BSC and the auto manufacturers. The BBC is the flagship of Britain.
William Stanley, Casablanca, Morocco Everyone has a right to strike and that includes the union members at the BBC. But if it improves the content as much as it seems to have done today then fire their asses today and keep them out for good. Great new schedule, keep it up.
Graeme, Boston, MA USA If the BBC can run a normal services for viewers while the strike is on, it will just prove there is a scope for cuts.
Paul Collier, London, UK The Today replacement worked reasonably well until 7:30am, when "Just A Minute" was programmed. WHO thought that was a good idea? Shoot them! A repeat of this weeks "The News Quiz" would have been more appropriate.
Hroth, Liverpool, UK If BBC staff can afford to strike perhaps they are being paid too much. I understand the need for action over what appears to be the end of the BBC, but surely there are better ways of achieving their aim?
Graeme Bromley, Pudsey The staff are absolutely right to strike and shame on the 'stars' like Chris Moyles for crossing picket line this morning. Not everyone gets their fat pay cheques - the least they could do is show some solidarity.
Andrew Lee, London, UK The BBC is going to the dogs. Paperclip counters at the highest level are dragging it down - through ratings wars and now this - good on the strike for showing that there is some heart left - if the proposed cuts go through TV will have sunk to a new, unacceptable low.
Laura, Ipswich UK Yes - BBC staff have every right to strike - nearly 4,000 jobs are at risk. They deserve full solidarity.
Phil Brand, London, England. The BBC produces the best TV in the world. However, it needs to modernise and rationalise. Why do we have News 24 and BBC1 News at 1800 and 2200 running simultaneously. Why doesn't BBC simply switch over the News 24 for its bulletins. There's a saving straight away. I'm sure there must be similar parallels to draw between similar productions too. The BBC is a business and needs to be run as one to make effective use of the licence fee.
Sue, Farnborough Perhaps if the BBC became a company that has to re-invest profits to continue as opposed to having a large proportion of its funding provided by the public (willingly or unwillingly) they would not have to cut jobs and would be able to pay staff what they deserve.
Rob, London Perhaps the BBC should concentrate on new revenue streams rather than cutting jobs. Restrict internet access to licence fee payers, anyone else should be made to pay a nominal annual fee for access to the BBC internet sevices and content. Why should licence fee payers be expected to pay for services enjoyed by the global community The BBC can then show its worth on a worldwide stage by adding BBC broadcast content to the internet.
David, Bradford When management treat staff and the licence fee payer with such callous disregard and try to implement poorly thought out plans, what do they expect? Keep up the pressure.
Richard, Croydon, UK Rather worryingly, still to notice the difference! What impact?
Bryan, Glasgow, UK I think they should all be fired, if you don't like your job leave and get a new one.
Robin, london I think journalists are right to strike. The news programmes on the BBC are an institution and are always of the highest quality. If redundancies are needed look at presenters on reality TV shows and the blithering idiot who thought up those annoying between programme bits of people dancing, jumping up and down etc etc.
Tim, Bradford West Yorkshire At least we won't have to watch the dreadful new weather forecast!
J D Woodman, Leeds, UK Absolutely and I am going to pop out at lunch time to my local BBC office and give my solidarity. Those who are crossing the picket line should be ashamed of themselves. United we stand, divided we fall.
Andrew Neeson, Central London You might watch satellite TV, Robin Stevenson, but you are using the BBC website! Who do you think pays for it?
Darren Hornsby, London, UK Of course they should strike, and expose the often repeated lie that better service is possible with fewer staff. What's wrong with this society that constantly ignores the moral issues of puting cost before all else?
Philip Paterson, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire I whole-heartedly support the action of the staff who have decided to take a stand against these cuts. People who work outside broadcasting have no idea how damaging these are to the very fabric of the public service broadcaster. It's said that the money "saved" will be put into new programming. But will it? And what sort of "new programming" can we expect? The BBC cannot, and should not, be expected to exist on contracted-out services and short-term freelance contracts.
Colin Barrett, Milton Keynes, UK What a great morning. No Today Programme to wind us up with its left wing sniggers nor its Scottish bias. A marvellous repeat of Just a Minute gave us a good laugh to start the day. When can we do it again, please?
Douglas Price, Northampton, England The BBC is a business like any other. That is the reason for the cuts.
Andy, Leeds Of course they should strike. No-one else is going to help - when in a corner you've got to have a go, even if it doesn't get you anywhere. As for the BBC, I'd pay double just for the internet and radio services. Also, I can't believe people are accusing the BBC of being a puppet of the govt. Did they sleep for past couple of years?
Mark, Liverpool Of course the BBC staff have a right to strike. But let's get this straight. It is not the most important thing happening in the world today and it should not be the lead news story. Such introspection will drive people in droves to ITN, SKY and CNN. Guess what? Some of them will like what they see and not come back!
Kevin W, Reading, UK Your job is to report the news, not try to be it! Please stick to less self-interested subjects in future!
David, UK To those demanding a refund: are you really that desperate to received 1/365th of your money back? 33p doesn't buy much from the alternative Sky service, I can assure you.
Matthew Bradford, Kent, UK The one fault the BBC has made is not making the public aware of how much of a bargain the licence fee is. Viewers think nothing of the �500 they pay for Sky, who produce little of their own programmes, or ITV who add to the cost of the goods we buy during the year.
Gary, London. UK The strike can only improve the quality of the BBC's news output. Keep it up - the longer the better!
Robert Dammers, Tunbridge Wells, UK You have to make a stand in these times, what's wrong with 6 men to one job if it makes a good and quality program that is sold world wide. Just been to China and that's just how they do it.
David Hacker, Bournemouth I don't have a huge problem with the strike, and totally understand the reasons behind it. However, also have to say fair play to those who have broken the strike to bring a skeleton news service to Radio 5 and BBC TV this morning.
Steve Rogers, Watford, UK If what I've heard about the cost of relocating BBC Sport to Manchester is true, then Mark Thompson's claims of cost-cutting being an immediate focus is clearly rubbish.
Russell, London Radio 4 was great this morning over breakfast.
Tony Joyce, Bocking - Essex BBC Staff are absolutely right to strike. Whilst presenters and management are over paid and under worked, this is clearly not the case for the vast majority of staff on the ground who work for low pay in poor conditions, and now find their jobs at risk.
James, Newport Mark Thompson wants to introduce what John Birt tried and failed to do. Make the BBC a Publisher/Broadcaster and pander to the lowest denominator. The Unions fought that and are having to do the same again. Where's the Labour Party stand on this dumbing down ? Oh look Birt's advising them!
Richard Taylor, Solihull, West Midlands I switched on this morning for the Today programme and got Just a Minute. Much more fun.
Mike Thompson, London They are welcome to strike if it means fewer "reality" and "makeover" programmes on TV. As long as they don't affect Terry Wogan who is worth every penny of my license fee!
David, Braintree I wish the staff at the BBC well but I do not think them striking will make much difference. I for one will not be affected by their strike. Apart from the FA CUP Final,I can't remember the last time I watched BBC1 or BBC2. The firemen do a more important job but their strike failed to get them a good deal. As such all their strike may do is speed up the demise of the BBC.
Darren Smith, London There's a certain irony about the people using the BBC website to demand a day's license fee back for the loss of BBC services.
Rob, Brighton, UK The BBC should be disbanded and sold off as soon as possible. Like millions of others I watch satellite television yet have to pay these peoples wages for the privelige.Besides that the BBC is a political tool of the governemnt, not independent, and that's is why it still exists.
Robin Stevenson, Oxon, England I would like to ask for a three day compenasation of the t.v licence, after all services are affected and in this day and age other companies would offer such recompense.
Simon, Ashford, Kent Striking is always a last resort, but sometimes is the only way to force management to face up to real issues. I fully support the strikers.
David Gent, Dartmouth, Devon Strike or no strike, Ken Clarke introducing Dizzie Gillespie at 6.40 on a Monday morning was a delightful surprise.
Caroline Leatherdale, Castle Cary, Somerset If staff feel aggrieved over job cuts then perhaps striking is the only answer, but staff should perhaps remember it is the general public who pay the TV license fee which keeps BBC staff working in the first place. Striking will not necessarily affect management!
Margaret Cropper, Norwich It's bad accounting. If BBC management made one fifth fewer bad decisions about how to use my licence fee, for example paying for expensive 'celebrity' presenters and new buildings, the corporation would not have to sack one fifth of the staff that consistently have to try and make those bad decisions work.
Mary, Lambeth Get real ..by comparison with many journalists and programme producers those working for the BBC do not know they are born. The BBC should not be partly but wholly privatised and then maybe "workers" there would actually have to prove their worth/be competitive instead of living on past glories. Ask yourselves: could the public get by without you permanently?
Patricia Ward, London, UK Any sane person would support strikers fighting for properly funded and staffed public services. Someone's got to draw a line in the sand against Blair and Brown.
Rob Owen, Manchester If the licence payers went on strike (didn't buy a licence) they would be fined by the courts. Do the same rules apply to BBC strikers?
George, Ipswich, England Privatisation and job cuts has meant years of chaos and falling standards in the transport system, we need to support these staff to protect our BBC.
Jessica, London, UK If the BBC want to axe jobs they should have a good look at the over-manning of newscasters. Why does it need two people to read a sentence or two each of the same news item? There's a waste of money if ever there was one. And the glut of news programmes all telling the same news. Take also a look at daytime shows - they always have two people introducing guests and stories of the day. It is about time the BBC kicked political correctness to the kerb and got rid of the over-manning.
Mr John Green, Poole, England It's unfortunate that it's gotten to the stage were the unions feel they have to strike. I think that is probably a reflection on the management that they haven't taken the time to talk to the unions and there staff to belay their fears. If they sat down there must be a happy medium. I can understand that cuts might me needed, I'm not going to claim I know either way, but compulsory redundancies are surely not needed. However, if Thompson can deliver the same quality service with less staff, who are we the licence payers to complain.
Daniel Hardy, London I suppose we will be getting our licence fee re-paid to us for the lack of service - or not! Another scam by the BBC to cut costs but keep ripping the public off. I wonder if this is to support another round of highfliers' pay rises?
Ian Hodges, Birmingham I fully support the strikers. Mark Thompson will implement government plans to slowly destroy the BBC. The BBC staff are standing up for the public interest in this strike.
Paul Webster, York, UK As much as I hate missing latest up to date news, I fully support those staff who have gone on strike today. So many times I see examples of areas which have been outsourced/privatised and the public get a lower quality, higher cost service. You just have to look at Rover and Railtrack.
David Higgins, Bournemouth Does Nick from London really believe that the cuts proposed at the BBC will mainly affect the ineffective bureaucracy? I bet it will hit the programme makers far more, and particularly the scapegoat news services. More power to their elbow as they resist the Long Arm of Hutton.
Jon G, Huddersfield UK It is time to scrap the BBC licence system.
James Pemberton, Cleveleys,Lancs.UK The BBC is not a commercial company. Fat cat managers and staff cuts are not the way to go. Licence fee payers should read the BBC's annual report and see where their money is really going - into managers' pockets and not into programmes.
Ted Edwards, London The BBC needs to modernise, and if this means a few journalists losing their jobs - so be it.
Chris Palmer, Taunton | Nobody wins through a strike. |
This is what comes of underfunding in the first place. The licence fee must be in line with the costs of running the most important broadcaster in the world. When will we get a government that will have the guts to sanction a hefty rise in the fee so that the BBC can get on with it's job of entertaining and informing like no other organisation can do.
Geoff, Torquay BBC is the only channel I respect when it comes to reporting of international news. It doesn't give a biased view of issues, as much as other (mostly American) channels do! I believe that privatisation might result in it becoming just another news channel, and that would be a disaster!
Gunjan Juyal, Bombay, India We all have the right to strike and no other way of getting a fair wage.
Derek Russell, London I thought they were striking over the new weather forecast format (joke!)
Keith, Southend-on-Sea Defend the BBC! First it will be job losses, then more outsourcing to private companies, then it will be the greater introduction of the market, then it will be junk news and the propagation of ignorance for private profit.
Michael Murray, Bath The quality and integrity of the BBC should be maintained, and for that I have a simple solution. As an overseas resident, I have the immense privilege to be able to access all BBC services, which I think is abnormal, and I for one would be willing to pay my license fee to be able to continue to do so.
Anne Touyet, La Rochelle, France Exactly how much of our Licence fee is going to be refunded? We are forced to pay for the BBC service and if it contains dead wood get rid of it.
Steve booth, Bridgwater Name me one strike that has had the desired effect for its members? As a customer - I'll get my live news today - from Sky.
Al, Liverpool, UK As much as I love the BBC content, they are only experiencing what everyone in the private sector have had to accept after Thatcher. Sadly it is part of real life when money becomes a budget item. I have been made redundant and it isn't life threatening.
Paul C., London Of course cuts are needed but they need to be in the right places. BBC news output is to fond of jumping on the bandwagon of the latest story, spending bundles of our money on trying to outcover every other news channel. As a result at times correspondents have nothing to report but they still go to them live on air just in case.
David, Birmingham I love the BBC and fully support the strikers. They really are making a stand on our behalf. The usual "can I have a refund" whines from the Sky watchers is to be expected too.
Phil Wade, Norwich, UK You chaps should be sorting out your issues around the table and not across the airways.
David, Hereford 'Fight for our BBC' scream the strikers' placards. It is not their BBC; it is the licence payers BBC, and to survive, it must modernise.
John McLusky, Welwyn, United Kingdom How refreshing to go to work this Monday morning and not have to listen to John Humphries and Jim Naughtie interrupting and arguing with politicians on the Today programme on Radio 4. Let's have more comedy programmes at this hour of the morning. Getting to work having had a good belly laugh set me up for the day.
Frank Judge, Edenbridge, Kent Nobody wins through a strike. It's an archaic practice that achieves nothing.
David Palmer, Witney, UK Be careful - you might just find that many people do not really care
Phil, UK It's not like making television is even a proper job. Come and do a day's brick laying and really earn your money. LOL
Adam, Romford UK I support the move to decentralise the BBC to Manchester and so people will ultimately lose their job if they don't what to move. But if the Job Cuts are just for the sake of saving money to please the Government then I am in favour of the action.
Andrew Dunlop, Manchester Outsource the BBC staffers unwilling to work. I can find competent and willing staff anywhere in the world for a 10th of the cost!
Bob Shorrock, Lake District The quality of the BBC's journalism is revered worldwide: to sacrifice informed, quality reporting and analysis on the altar of cost-saving is a very worrying prospect indeed.
Mark Savage, Feltham, UK If the BBC claim to be a public service then they should not strike like the army, nurses, and police.
Geoff, South shields The BBC is in parts a large bureaucracy and I have heard stories from those who have worked there of the amount of red tape and people-clutter that exists in some departments. Provided that the savings are actually re-invested into better programming, I'd trust the BBC because it delivers more than any other channel.
Rustam Roy, London, UK Congratulations to all those at the BBC who have supported the strike, especially the big name presenters who were noticeable by their absence from the TV and Radio this morning. Shame on those who crossed the picket lines. Staff of any organisation do not resort industrial action unless forced to by an unreasonable management.
Mike , Newport, South Wales I notice that the strikers' placards say "Fight for our BBC". Says it all really.
Colin Shepherd, Farnham UK Strike all you want as long as you are back in time for Doctor Who!
Gareth, UK Are we going to be refunded the strike day's TV licence fee? If I'm paying for something I want the service.
Ruth, Wirral I can fully understand BBC staff being upset over the job cuts, perhaps if the BBC spent less on advertising the BBC on its own channels and less on stupid 'makeover' programs they would not have to make so many people redundant?
Matt, Bristol BBC staff have my full support in taking industrial action. The BBC is our most important cultural and political institution and should be defended against the latest bunch of mediocre management hatchet men.
Duncan Forsyth, London I fully support the strike. Mark Thompson is slowly destroying the BBC. I visit the BBC news site about 30 times - no exaggeration - every day, simply because the quality and accuracy of its output exceeds every other news service. If it ain't broke, don't fix it Mark.
Rob Stone, Stafford, UK Go for it! We wouldn't miss you...
Johnny Royds, Dublin, Ireland The staff at the BBC have as much right to strike as the rest of us and if they feel that the quality of their work will be adversely affected by the proposed cuts they need to make their voices heard.
Christine, UK I wouldn't mind if the BBC went on strike for a week or for a month to be honest. A channel that repeats programmes on prime time, and that puts afternoon-TV programs on prime time, such as Top Gear, does not have a right to exist, even less so when I know that I am paying for these programs through taxes.
A van Pampus, London Generally I support the BBC, but sometimes I do wonder. For example, on their news programmes when the presenter will read the item, and then go over to a colleague on location and ask what more they can tell us, or feed them rehearsed questions - cue much repetition. Its all so clich�d and uses valuable time that could be devoted to a wider coverage of news items.
ken, Bournemouth UK Good on them, let them go on strike, as there's nothing worth watching anyway. p.s. Can I have a big refund please.
D. Beale, Bootle
BBC journalists have got to make a stand now. Their timing is correct, after the Hutton whitewash and Blair's re-election, to defend the BBC's values after its directors have shown that they prefer to abandon them. Reducing bureaucracy and streamlining operations is commendable, but the proposed cuts involve removing many journalists and other content producers, which cannot possibly be a positive thing. Though I am pessimistic about the unions' prospects of success, I do think that their action is more than necessary.
Dylan, Dijon, France I wish the BBC good luck in their strike - they are right to do so. If they do not stand up against this massive attack on the corporation, it will almost certainly mean more job losses to come after this first round and then pay cuts, with the inevitable loss of morale for those left and lower quality for viewers, listeners and readers.
Stuart, Portsmouth, England You can't keep demanding more from fewer people without a sacrifice, quality should still count.
A Collins, Northumberland I think it's only fair that the staff at the BBC should strike. Only instead of the black screens and dead air could we have the Test Card and some of that lovely music!
Jason D'Arcy, Bristol Adam Stone claims that the BBC's expenses are "legendary". He clearly doesn't work here or know anyone who does. I am a long-serving member of BBC staff I have just returned from a month working away from home as part of my job and expenses were very tight and controlled to the penny. The rate I was allowed to spend on accommodation for example was not even two-thirds the going rate for a clean and safe room in the city where I was working, which meant I had to stay four miles away. I love my job here and I have great respect for the BBC, but we must strike to stop these cuts or the world's best news organisation will be damaged forever.
BBC employee, UK Anyone who has dealt with the BBC will know that sections of it are ridiculously bureaucratic and ineffective. I know people there who have joined from the private sector and say it's easy living. I hate to say it but welcome to the real world! Why should anyone at the BBC have a job for life when nobody else in broadcasting does?
Nick, London If the only way to prevent programmes from suffering a further drop in quality is to strike, then so be it.
Shane Magee, Buenos Aires, Argentina | The BBC should not be cutting jobs in a futile attempt to imitate private businesses |
The BBC is a state-run enterprise. Like all state-run enterprises it has a great advantage over private businesses in that it can, and often should, run at a loss. Making a loss will often result in greater long-term benefits for the country. The BBC should not be cutting jobs in a futile attempt to imitate private businesses, and concentrate on its core competency: making great programmes.
Paul, Cambridge, UK What do they hope to achieve by striking? Since there is no financial penalty that the Beeb will pay for a strike in terms of lost revenues all that can be achieved is highlighting a depth of feeling. There is no need to strike to achieve this. What will be achieved is that the powers at the top will be annoyed with the workforce for striking and so less inclined to discuss things with them. Couple this with not getting paid when on strike and you really do have a cutting nose off to spite face moment.
Tim Having lived abroad, in a number of countries, for most of my working life, I just wanted to comment that the BBC is not the best TV station in the world as people are told, mostly by the BBC. As for the strike, it just shows that it's time to privatize the BBC.
Mike Davis, Antwerp, Belgium | Will license fee payers get a three day rebate on their telly tax, probably not |
Will license fee payers get a three day rebate on their telly tax, probably not. But just think, this is a service paid for by the public, and watched by the public. If the service is not provided then why should the public pay for it. Remove the service and the need to take the money also vanishes, so be very careful what you strike for.
Dave, Ramsgate, England Of course the staff have a right to strike, but when job cuts are necessary, they must happen. One feels that the members of the unions might not be so trigger-happy to follow their union leaders into strike action if the financial damage to the BBC due to the strike were taken out of their pay packets. If I cause financial damage to another party, then I am expected to pay. Why shouldn't they?
Luke Connoley, London Should the BBC staff strike? Absolutely! But, they shouldn't play at it (doing it on particular day); walkout completely. The basic utilities in this country, and I regard the BBC as one, should not have been 'privatised'. The last one out should turn the lights off: give a hard and clear message.
R Cowlard, Warwickshire Please, please don't close the BBC down completely - what would Tony do without his Blair Broadcasting Corporation!
Gordon, Stoke-on-Trent UK I support the management of the BBC - Those striking should be the first to go!
Ben Matthews, Manchester, UK This is entirely reasonable behaviour on the part of the unions, this is one BBC viewer fully behind them.
Mark Gallagher, Glasgow, UK | I fully support those that are trying to protect both themselves and future BBC output |
As a licence fee payer, who is proud of the BBC and its output, I fully support those that are trying to protect both themselves and future BBC output.
Martin Walker, Edinburgh I hate to sound critical but I won't condone anyone to go on strike. However, if the BBC staff feel strongly about the issue then strike action needs to be considered. The cuts in staff must come as a huge blow to the people who work at the BBC, but with growing demand to produce fresher and more relevant programmes, what can be done?
John, near Llanrwst, North Wales We live in a global economy. The BBC is just one example of a service which has many jobs which could potentially be outsourced offshore to any country with a cheaper labour market then that of the UK. Striking will not change that fact.
Anne, Haslemere, Surrey Mark Thompson, at the behest of the Blair government, is attempting to remove one of the last great institutions left in the UK. These plans will leave the BBC incapable of producing the world-class programmes, impartial news output, and live shows which millions in the UK and around the world rely on.
David Carpenter, York, UK There is no justification for a strike and if the staff want my sympathy then affecting me and the public will not gather any. If these strikes goes ahead and I lose 3/365ths of my license fee's value I will not be happy.
Martin, England I am more concerned about privatizing BBC. I think this is a unique institution that shouldn't be messed around with. We all know what happens with news getting privatized. Look at American media!
Mufaddal Photographer, Minneapolis, USA | At least the quality of the programming will go up during those periods |
Well, at least the quality of the programming will go up during those periods, and that's just if the screen is black! Put on repeats of some of the cutting edge early 90s comedy instead of the politically correct pap that we have to suffer these days.
J, UK Yes they should, no one else seems to care that the BBC is the only independent news organisation in the world. Just look at the US, they are crying out for a news organisation with the reach and the trust that the BBC has. Same old, same old England, you don't know what you got till you lose it. Rupert Murdoch seems to be getting his way.
Vish, UK Judging by the amount of rubbish that is produced/sent out by the BBC, especially on BBC2, the corporation must be grossly over staffed. I would expect a rebate on my licence if any of these overpaid people strike.
Michael Mciver, Hastings, England Of course they are right to strike. If the BBC is short of money then the solution isn't to sack people, it is to increase funding. This should be done properly though through a general tax rather than a licence. The BBC is worth far more than we pay for it. Those who claim it is 'outdated' and there are other providers clearly haven't thought it through (or know what balanced news is). Good luck to the strikers!
Dominic Tristram, Bath, UK The BBC has for too long been a bastion of the otherwise unemployable white middle classes, overpaid and under-worked in jobs which are more about who you know than what you know. About time it moved into the 21st Century.
Matt Munro, Bristol, UK These job cuts are horrendous and completely unfair all I can say is strike!
Matt, Stockport I'll bet the union "regretted the decision" - it'll regret it even more when we realise what a waste of money most of the BBC is (present company excepted).
Chris Hillcoat, Southampton, UK I was shocked at the news of the BBC staff striking. I don't think they should strike but given some compensation over the job cuts as programmes and services that are well used should not be affected by the strike over the job cuts. I would be gutted if they decided BBC Ouch! should strike as well.
Katie Fraser, Welwyn Garden City, Herts The BBC is the best major public service broadcaster in the world. These cuts should be fought at all costs, I am fully behind the action.
Terry Evans, Blackwood, Gwent In today's climate of compensation, may I ask for a refund of my TV licence fees on days when there will be no broadcasts?
D Hollwoway, London, UK Whose jobs exactly will be cut? I doubt if it's middle management. People that work at the BBC hardly work there for the money anyway, you could earn more outside, the production staff and programme makers work at the Beeb because they want to make world-beating TV. So what's really going on here?
Square Eyes Think very carefully before you strike. You do not have a monopoly, your customers will simply go elsewhere and may never return. Every company has to look for economies, technology advances will mean fewer people will be required. That is the way of life, the only thing that is certain is that change is here to stay.
Terry, Epsom, Surrey, England Yes I do. They should do every thing possible to keep their staff. The BBC is one of very few organizations the world can trust. The journalists and staff are at the heart of British democracy, they serve the people more than any politician. I pledge full support to all the staff who have always helped me to hear the truth and be informed, entertained and listen to what I have to say.
Ahamd Hmoud, Amman, Jordan | It is time for a level playing field. Scrap the fee |
Do I get a rebate on my licence fee for the lost viewing? It is time for a level playing field. Scrap the fee, use advertising and let's see how competitive the BBC really is.
Steve, Shetland, UK The BBC is a dinosaur of a corporation. There is immense talent and brilliant programming there but they need to streamline and become more efficient just like other businesses have to. Why should taxpayers pay for thousands of jobs that are potentially not needed?
Helen, London, UK Will anyone really notice the difference - stick on a few re-runs of old sitcoms!
Anon, UK As long as the showing of Doctor Who isn't affected, they can strike 6 days a week, if they like.
Nicholas Kingsley, Chichester, West Sussex The BBC staff should be very careful. 20 years ago black screens and dead radio stations would have caused pandemonium, nowadays the majority of people will simply turn to one of the other hundreds of channels they have. If the strikers are not careful, the public may quickly realise how much they don't actually need the previously sacred BBC.
Andy , Newcastle Upon Tyne Rock on guys, the BBC produces some of the best shows in the world. I'd hate to see the quality level descend to week-long marathons of plastic surgery. (Besides, I'll be on vacation during the blackout anyway.)
Leo Togucci, Amsterdam, NL Absolutely! The anger is entirely justified. Even if cuts are achieved through staff turnover, retirement etc, the workload on those remaining would make for greater inefficiency. And who is going to produce these new programmes? What kind of new programmes? The BBC is still the voice of responsible journalism worldwide. Don't let the government destroy it.
Suzanne Derringer, NYC - US Good for you people! Stick to your guns. Where is the sense in making cuts in programme making departments to improve the quality of programme making? I fully support you.
Max Richards, Cardiff, Wales
Everyone else threatened with large scale job cuts has the right to strike, why not the BBC?
Cass, London
I personally think that the staff at the BBC have no other option but to strike and I think the job cuts are appalling. I hope they achieve their aims.
Izzy, Cupar, Fife Strike action is usually regrettable. The BBC is my life line. For the news, documentaries and political reviews to be lost would be a disaster to its loyal Ex-pats. However I do see some rubbish from the UK. I would not want to see more of these sitcom re-runs. We are burdened with more than enough already. Keep negotiating.
Ruth Ritchie, Vancouver, Canada | There is no place in the 21st Century workplace for 20th Century industrial action |
There is no place in the 21st Century workplace for 20th Century industrial action. Financial wastage in the public sector is well known - and the BBC is no different with its legendary 'expenses' and "six men for one job" culture. At this time in the BBC's history where the license fee is never far from the political agenda, its staff would be well-advised to tread very carefully.
Adam Stone, Exeter, UK Of course BBC staff are right to strike. The Director General Mark Thompson refused to hold constructive talks with the unions. It is only now, with the prospect of a strike, that he claims to want to resume such talks.
Kevin Stanley, Nottingham, UK I think it really is time for a clear out as there are too many created jobs, and too much nepotism. How some of them sleep easy in their beds makes me wonder. You must think that people are either cooks, gardeners or idiots. Just shut it down and make a lot of people happy .
Harold Norris, Bolton Lancs It is very apparent that the BBC is also extremely over-staffed and job cuts are necessary to compete with crowded telecommunications industry. As technology has advanced it is unfortunate that the numbers of people that are required to produce a high quality service is reducing. I know what I can produce at home without any specialist knowledge and equipment.
Simon Briggs, Oxford Of course they are right to strike. You don't see any of the directors being forced to take pay cuts or facing redundancy!
Paul, Wales Disrupt the FA cup final and I'll watch it on ITV or Sky. Disrupt EastEnders and my wife will just watch Corrie. It's that simple. The only losers will be the strikers - history tends to show that. A modern professional workforce embraces change and moves with it - the Beeb is an old beast and needs to change so I get better value for money from my licence fee.
Al, Liverpool UK
The BBC's staff has as much right to strike as everyone else and I wish them the best until their grievance is resolved.
Colin Palin, L'Derry
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