CAMPAIGNERS have said the number of BBC NI staff seeking voluntary redundancy as part of a scheme to slash costs should offset major cuts planned for Derry’s Radio Foyle station.
The Irish News understands more than 50 staff have expressed interest in a voluntary redundancy scheme announced last year as part of major cuts at the Derry station.
In November, BBC NI interim director, Adam Smyth announced plans to drop Radio Foyle’s flagship Morning Show as well as dedicated north west news bulletins. The cuts are part of a plan for 36 redundancies to make savings of £2.3m and to invest more money in online services.
The cuts would mean Radio Foyle’s daily output would not start until 1pm. They would also result in news output being restricted to a one half-hour news show with a one-and-a-half-hour current affairs/light entertainment programme.
While Radio Foyle would bear the brunt of the cuts, there would be implications for Radio Ulster, in particular the Inside Business programme.
At a meeting organised by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) last week, representatives of all the main political parties came together with church and community leaders to oppose the cuts. There is also growing support for an online NUJ petition calling for the plans to be dropped, with many people adding pictures of themselves with “Save Radio Foyle” banners.
SDLP leader and Foyle MP, Colum Eastwood said the fact that more than 50 staff were interested in taking voluntary redundancy was “more than enough” to off set savings the BBC had planned from cuts to Foyle.
Mr Eastwood said: “If the BBC does not give up on its plan to cut the heart out of Radio Foyle given this new information then it will confirm that its intent all along has been to close the station down.
“I will be making urgent representations to the Director General demanding that the axe hanging over young public interest news journalists and researchers is removed immediately. These people, who serve Derry and the north west, deserve far better than the way the BBC has treated them and we won’t be giving up this fight.”
Sinn Féin MLA, Pádraig Delargy called on the BBC to reverse its plans. He said people across the region relied on Radio Foyle for news.
“We are speaking with one voice on this issue across the city, Radio Foyle must be protected,” Mr Delargy said.
A BBC NI spokesman said any comment on specifics would be inappropriate at this stage.
“We are working through some necessary staffing, structural and related changes. These affect teams and programme-making activity across BBC Northern Ireland. We said at the outset that voluntary redundancy would be offered on the basis of the skills and savings we need to improve our digital output.
“Our ambition is also to offer opportunities for redeployment should they become available,” the spokesman said.
