Local BBC programmes on both TV and radio in Northern Ireland were severely disrupted today by strike action by members of the broadcasting unions.
The BBC1 Newsline programme was blacked out and on Radio Ulster Good Morning Ulster, Talkback and the Steven Nolan Show were both cancelled and replaced by re-runs of old programmes.
The 24-hour nationwide strike was in protest at BBC plans to cut nearly 4,000 jobs, about 100 of them in Northern Ireland. Notice has also been given to the BBC management of a 48-hour stoppage next week.
Three journalists' and technicians' unions, Amicus, the National Union of Journalists and Bectu were involved in the strike - the biggest at the corporation in more than a decade.
An NUJ spokesman said the strike action had not been taken lightly, but staff felt they had been left with no choice. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said it strongly supported the strike.
