National Union of Journalists general secretary Michelle Stanistreet has drawn a direct link between compulsory redundancies at the BBC and the malign influence of Rupert Murdoch on the government.
She told pickets in London on July 15: "These cuts and job losses have been brought about directly by a decision to freeze the licence fee for the next six years.
"This was a shabby deal done by BBC management and the government behind closed doors last autumn, with no democratic scrutiny or transparent discussion.
"We know Rupert Murdoch and News International executives were exerting huge influence on key government figures."
She said it was vital that the "dodgy licence fee deal" be re-examined urgently.
[Reprinted from www.morningstaronline.co.uk .]