Strike by BBC journalists disrupts programs

BBC says it must cut staff because the government has reduced funding for its World Service.

London: BBC news programs are being disrupted as journalists stage a 24-hour strike to protest job cuts.

BBC radio`s flagship morning news program, "Today," started an hour later than usual at 7 am because of Monday`s strike by members of the National Union of Journalists.

Some other live programs were replaced with pre-recorded shows.

Union members are protesting 100 compulsory layoffs and mounted picket lines in front of BBC offices across the country.

The BBC says it must cut staff because the government has reduced funding for its international World Service and for BBC Monitoring, which monitors foreign broadcasts.

The union staged a strike last month and plans more action if talks scheduled for August are unsuccessful.

Bureau Report