Britain: The BBC's news output in Northern Ireland was severely disrupted yesterday as a result of strike action by journalists and technicians throughout the corporation.
Flagship television and radio programmes on BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Ulster such as Newsline, Good Morning Ulster, Talkback and Evening Extra were cancelled because of the 24-hour stoppage.
The striking unions - the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Amicus and Bectu - plan to stage a 48-hour strike next Tuesday and Wednesday.
The journalists and technicians throughout the BBC are protesting at management plans to cut almost 4,000 jobs, 100 of them in Northern Ireland.
Journalists and technicians mounted pickets and distributed "Fight for Our BBC" leaflets to passers-by outside the BBC headquarters in Belfast and the BBC Radio Foyle offices in Derry yesterday.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said it strongly supported the action. "This strike is not just about redundancies. It is about the ethos of the BBC and the fight to preserve the highest quality in public service broadcasting at a time when there is a need to preserve the independence and integrity of journalism," it said.
Sinn Féin and the SDLP issued statements supporting the strikers. Sinn Féin MLA Michael Ferguson said party members would not cross the picket line.
The SDLP MP for South Belfast Dr Alasdair McDonnell said the industrial action sent out a clear message to those in control of the BBC that their plans for cutbacks were damaging and would be vehemently opposed.
* PA adds: Both news and live programmes throughout the UK were badly affected by the stoppage. There was a brief news bulletin on Radio 4 at 6am in place of the usual Today broadcast, which was then followed by a pre-recorded programme.
On Radio Five Live, some of its live news and sport was being replaced by pre-recorded programmes.
The NUJ and Bectu, who said the strike was an overwhelming success, said they had recruited 2,000 new members between them since BBC director general Mark Thompson announced the job losses in March.
In addition to next week's 48- hour strike, the unions have warned of another 24-hour strike next month. They are urging Mr Thompson to reopen negotiations over the job cuts which the corporation announced in March under plans to make savings of £355 million.
A number of high-profile BBC employees backed the strike by staying away from work. Top presenters including John Humphrys from Radio 4, Jeremy Paxman from BBC Two's Newsnight and Nicky Campbell from Radio Five Live stayed away from work.
A number of stars did cross picket lines in London. Radio 2 presenter Terry Wogan wished people on the picket line "good luck" as he went inside Broadcasting House in central London.
