THE BBC is axing two popular journalism programmes in its latest round of cuts.
The long-running interview programme HARDtalk, which launched in 1997, will come to an end in March 2025.
An internal e-mail sent to BBC staff said the cuts, which will see a net loss of 130 roles in its news and current affairs department, were being imposed to "help meet the BBC’s savings and reinvestment challenge".
The programme's long-standing presenter Stephen Sackur said the announcement was "depressing news for the BBC" and questioned the logic of cancelling an long-form interview programme "at a time when disinformation and media manipulation are poisoning public discourse".
Author and academic Timor Sharan said the scrapping of HARDtalk was a "blow to public discourse and accountability".
On X/Twitter, he said: "#BBC had long lost it.
"Closure of #Hardtalk marks the end of one of few platforms left for tough, uncompromising interviews that hold power to account.
"In an era when rigorous journalism is more essential than ever, this decision is a blow to public discourse and accountability."
If ever there ever was a historical moment when the world needed BBC Hardtalk, with the brilliant @stephensackur at its helm, it is now. He’s the best inquisitor in the business…. https://t.co/wnVu3A9yl4
— Nick Bryant (@NickBryantNY) October 15, 2024
Former BBC correspondent Nick Bryant also criticised the move.
"If ever there ever was a historical moment when the world needed BBC Hardtalk, with the brilliant @stephensackur at its helm, it is now," he said.
"He’s the best inquisitor in the business…."
The technology news show Click, which is described by the BBC as its "flagship technology programme" is also being cancelled.
In 2021, the programme was relocated to the BBC studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow.
Click co-presenter Lara Lewington said on X/Twitter: “The BBC gave us an amazing opportunity to cover the tech that has, and will transform our lives, in ways we could never have imagined.
"It is a shame to see our dear show come to an end at this moment of AI transformation and incredible acceleration in innovation and possibility, but such are the economic constraints.”
