BBC radio broadcasting in 10 languages ​​including Bengali is being stopped

British Broadcasting Corporation-BBC has decided to stop radio broadcasting in ten languages ​​including BBC Bangla. However, none of the language departments are being shut down completely and many will conduct online activities. Apart from BBC Bangla, the other languages ​​that are being discontinued include Arabic, Persian, Chinese, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Hindi, Indonesian, Tamil and Urdu.

At the same time, the BBC has proposed to cut 382 World Service posts to cut costs. Which aims to save 28.5 million pounds (over Rs. 320 crores). However, CBBC and BBC Four are also being moved online as part of total annual savings of £500m.

The BBC says the combined pressure of high inflation and rising commodity prices has led to 'their difficult decision'. They also said the plan will help support the strategy to make the World Service more modern, digital and streamlined. The online-only services now include Chinese, Gujarati, Indonesian, Pidgin, Igbo, Yoruba and Urdu.

BBC World Service is an international media broadcasting organization. They have activities through radio, TV and digital media. The BBC now reaches around 364 million people a week, half of whom are online.

The BBC says no language department is closing completely and the World Service will continue to serve listeners in times of crisis to ensure people in countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Afghanistan receive BBC news services.

World Service English will continue to provide round-the-clock news worldwide, and the corporation says new programming, programs and podcasts will be announced later. World Service Director Lillian Landor said the BBC's role globally has never been less important. It is trusted by billions of people for objective and unbiased news, especially in underserved areas.

The BBC's proposals also include: —
moving some services out of London and closer to audiences; For example, Thai service will be taken from London to Bangkok, Korean service to Seoul, Bangla service to Dhaka and Focus on Africa TV bulletin to Nairobi.

Launching a new Chinese unit in London, establishing an Africa content hub that will produce digital content, continuing TV broadcasting of Arabic and Persian services. Increasing investment in further research and documentary production.

The proposal will now be discussed with the company's staff and unions, said Philippa Childs, head of the broadcasting union - Betkur. He said the BBC must adapt to meet the changing challenges in the media sector. But once again the workers of the institution are affected by political decisions. Funding challenges created by the government's decision to withhold license fees made these proposals inevitable. Source: BBC Bengal report

 

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