BBC WORLD SERVICE

That this House is shocked at the announcement that hundreds of jobs and services are to be lost as a result of Government cuts to BBC World Service funding; notes that up to 650 jobs will go under the plans, five language services will be closed and others will be scaled back; further notes that the BBC World Service is a quality broadcasting service which is successful and internationally respected; commends the National Union of Journalists in its campaign to defend jobs and quality broadcasting at the BBC World Service; believes that the BBC World Service is a leading voice in international broadcasting and is a voice for challenging corruption, exposing human rights abuses and promoting democratic values; further believes that these cuts will be damaging for objective and quality news services around the world; and calls on the Government to review funding to the BBC World Service to maintain this quality broadcasting service and jobs.