BBC News To Cut 415 Positions As Organization Increases Focus On Digital Journalism

BBC News will "cut a further 415 posts and restructure to increase focus on digital journalism," according to Sweney & Deans of the London GUARDIAN. BBC Dir of News and Current Affairs James Harding told staff on Thursday that there will be £48M ($82M) in "annual savings and a total of 500 workers will be affected by the cuts." The wideranging cuts to BBC News "will include the axing of a number of special on-air journalist roles -- although other new positions will be created -- and flagship BBC1 current affairs show Panorama losing its dedicated reporters." However, Harding said that 195 new positions "will be created in the restructure, meaning a net reduction of 220 full-time posts across news and current affairs." BBC News currently employs some 8,400 people, including about 5,000 journalists (GUARDIAN, 7/17).