HARDtalk: Stephen Sackur introduces episode
The BBC has axed the investigative journalism show HARDtalk after nearly 30 years as part of a 130-person job cut programme in its news division. The show's host Stephen Sackur announced the "sad" news on social media.
The news has emerged as part of the wider 500-person layoff programme in a cost-cutting move announced by Director General Tim Davie earlier this year. The corporation is grappling with a deficit of £500M amid tricky economic headwinds.
HARDtalk was launched in 1997 and hosted by Stephen, who tweeted today that the move is “depressing news for the BBC” for a show that stresses the “importance of independent, rigorous deeply-researched journalism".
He began: "PERSONAL NEWS: Today BBC News has announced plans to close @BBCHARDtalk after 3 decades holding the world’s politicians and powerbrokers to account.
"This is sad news for me personally, but much more important, I think it’s depressing news for the BBC and all who believe in the importance of independent, rigorous deeply-researched journalism. At a time when disinformation and media manipulation are poisoning public discourse HARDtalk is unique - a long-form interview show with only one mission."
He pointed to interviews with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Hugo Chavez, and Emmanuel Macron over the years.
Stephen went on: "Over the years will know HARDtalk was never just another news show.
A brilliant team of producers and researchers is being disbanded just as BBC DG Tim Davie is trying to persuade the British Govt that the journalism of the BBC World Service is such a vital expression of democratic soft power that the taxpayer must fund it. Whatever the outcome of that, it seems it will be too late to save HARDtalk - for so long a pillar of the World Service schedule."
The broadcaster went concluded it was a "privilege" being a part of the team, before adding, "next year I’ll be looking to stretch my legs and embrace new opportunities. My commitment to rigorous exploration of world affairs won’t change. I hope the BBC’s doesn’t either".
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BBC viewers flocked to comment on the post as many shared their disappointment.
One viewer commented: "But what on earth is the BBC's rationale for axing the programme?"
Stephen replied: "Management decision."
Another tweeted: "I will miss hardtalk." While a third person remarked: "Take the show online. You won’t regret it and the BBC will."
A fourth wrote: "This is not good news at all. Hardtalk is indeed my top best BBC programme. It was always a pleasure watching you."
A fifth agreed: "A huge loss … I’m afraid the reputation of the @BBCNews for independent reporting has truly lost its way…"
Along with HARDtalk, the BBC is closing the bespoke Asian Network News service, with the station instead taking Newsbeat bulletins and commissioning a new locally-made current affairs show.
In all, there will be 185 role closures and 55 new ones created. The news team is delivering a saving of £24M.
BBC boss Deborah Turness said the latest cuts will “help meet the BBC’s savings and reinvestment challenge”.
