It’s like a reality show that boosts ratings

It is always interesting when journalists go on strike. 

During the transition period in Bulgaria in the mid to late 90s the journalists from the government owned National Television went on strike because they were not happy with the appointed director.

It was something political and not related to pension funds or salaries. They fought for the freedom of speech.

It was fun to watch the National Television. Every hour they played Let It Be by the Beatles. Instead of regular programming they would broadcast movies and music shows.

Broadcasting from a bunker 

When a similar industrial action was taken at the National radio, which is also owned by the government, the protesters occupied the main building. The presenters who wanted to work had to broadcast from studios underground used for broadcasting during a war time.

Here in the UK journalists don’t have to worry about the freedom of speech. It’s the pension funds that matters.

The BBC star presenters join 48-hour strike and some of the main radio and TV programs will have to deal with the situation.


The possible outcome


According to The Guardian, the BBC director general, Mark Thompson said that the strike would mean "significant loss of earnings" for National Union of Journalists members "without any advantage or benefit in return". 

The newspaper reminds that in 2005 during a similar strike the ratings of the BBC actually went up.