IFJ poziva BBC da objavi uvjete pod kojima je kanadski vlasnik iskljuèio 5.5oo zaposlenih

24.08.2005.

 

IFJ Calls on BBC to “Come Clean” Over Deal with Canadian Broadcaster That Locked out 5,500 Staff

 The International Federation of Journalists and its regional group the European Federation of Journaliststoday called on the BBC to “come clean” over its role in providing broadcastmaterial to the Canadian public broadcaster CBC which is engaged in a bitterbattle with unions after it locked out 5,500 workers.

 The BBC has so far refused to meet with British trade unions representing journalists and other workers to explain its role in the Canadian dispute which began on August 15after talks with unions on a new contract broke down overthe CBC demand for the unfettered right to hire contract and part-time workersto take jobs now filled by staff employees.

When the company locked out its union staff most original programming and news in particular, ground to a halt with the radio and TV slotsfilled with repeats and imported content.The broadcaster relies heavily on BBC foreignnews reports for television news.

 “The BBC claims not to beinvolved,” saidAidan WhiteGeneralSecretary of the EFJ and the IFJ, “but while it refuses to disclose the detailsof its arrangement with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC willcontinue to be accused of strikebreaking. It’s time to come clean over whatdeals have been made.”

 The IFJ wrote last week to the European Broadcasting Union, which groups national,rand international public broadcasters, warning that the use of the BBC andother broadcasters, such as the English service of German network DeutscheWelle, to fill gaps in CBC programming threatens the reputation of publicbroadcasters.

 The IFJ is backing local unions which yesterday protested at the BBC’s refusal tomeet them over the issue and has asked all its members, and in particular theNational Union of Journalists in Great Britain and Ireland and affiliates inGermany, to work together with its Canadian member, the Canadian Media Guild(TNG/CWA), to prevent broadcasts from global networks being used to make up formissing local content.

The dispute is backed by the NUJ in theUKand the IFJ’sUSaffiliate,the Newspaper Guild/CWA as well as the Canadian actors’ union ACTRA, which haveinstructed members to do nothing that would undermine the CBC staffposition.

 “This dispute can only be solved through negotiations on the spot. The role of the BBCcould make matters worse,” said White. “We hope that the BBC will explain itsposition toUKunions and will not put itsreputation for impartiality at risk.”

 Further information: + 32 2 235 22 07

TheIFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110countries

 

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