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BBC News unveils integrated newsroom

Posted: 12/11/07 By: Laura Oliver

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BBC News has unveiled its new multimedia newsroom, integrating its core output across its online, television and radio platforms.

The re-organisation of the corporation's news department - set out by BBC director general Mark Thompson in October - sees an end to separate editorial operations for the BBC's Radio News, News Interactive and TV news departments as they are merged into two new divisions.

As part of the changes more will be invested in on-demand news, including developing content for new platforms such as mobile, and producing more audio and video content specifically for the web.

Content on the BBC News website will be the responsibility of the new multimedia newsroom, while a multimedia programmes department has been created to produce more 'multi-platform' content.

"This new structure will help us to be more efficient and so save money to invest in improvements to BBC News," said Peter Horrocks, head of the multimedia newsroom, on his BBC Editors blog.

Horrocks asked readers of his blog for their thoughts on content on the BBC News website and whether it should cover the same stories as BBC News on television and radio.

In the director general's speech last month it was announced that attempts would be made to reduce 'duplication in newsgathering' and production across these different BBC platforms.

"If we drive our stories more across platforms you will see greater consistency within BBC News – with similar editorial judgments being made across different services," wrote Horrocks.

"We could concentrate resources on developing the most significant and original stories in greater depth. However the downside could be a narrowing of the range of stories we cover, with less coverage that is distinctive and tailored for each medium."

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