BBC to slash 6,000 jobs

BBC News is planning to slash its 28,000-strong workforce by close to 6,000, as part of its largest ever cost-cutting exercise.

Although the exact number of jobs that will be lost has yet to be finalized, the changes proposed by BBC Director-General Mark Thompson will result in thousands of jobs in news and production being threatened, said the Evening Standard.

Newspaper reports said that some of the production work will be outsourced and some other activities will be privatized. Also key staff will be shifted from London to Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Belfast and Bristol.

The media major believes that 'by making the corporation more cost effective, it can justify the receipt of substantial public money.'

The areas that are likely to come under the axe include BBC People, BBC's human resources department that have over 1,000 people, and BBC's on-line and interactive services.

Also facing the threat are the sport and children's departments and one of the BBC's national radio stations.