ITV regional news guaranteed until 2012
- Published: 30 September 2008 10:55
- Author: Kate McMahon
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- Last Updated: 30 September 2008 11:50
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ITV has guaranteed the provision of its regional news until "at least 2012" – despite announcing that 430 jobs would be cut from its services this morning.
An ITV spokesman said that although 40% of staff would be leaving, there would still be 650 staff members in the regions, covering local news.
"We will be investing heavily in those teams, and giving them the tools to operate in a digital society," he said.
"With this restructure we will be able to direct resources to where they are most needed. We will still have a strong local news output. ITV plc remains committed to guaranteeing the provision of regional news to 2012 and for the first time, ITV Local will be right at the heart of everything we do."
The restructure is part of a push by ITV to slash 1,000 jobs by February next year and save £40m annually. ITV wants to merge news bulletins in the England and Scottish Borders region from 17 separate programmes to nine
The job cuts follow Ofcom's proposals as part of its review of public service broadcasting which will allow ITV to drop some regional news bulletins, reduce regional programming by 50% and cut back on some current affairs programmes.
A statement from the National Union of Journalists is expected shortly.
