Writing in his weekly online column 'From the editor's desktop', Mr Clifton describes a 'difficult week in the newsroom' as director general Mark Thompson announced more than 2,000 job cuts across the BBC's editorial teams.
He acknowledged that readers probably will notice reduced content on some sections including business, entertainment, programmes and On This Day.
"Our focus across the department will be fast, well-written news, background and analysis, and original journalism," writes Mr Clifton.
"For these reasons my other principal decision has been to maintain the level of effort on the World and UK news teams, which I think provide the engine room for the site."
Despite the cuts, Mr Clifton said has was optimistic about Mark Thompson's references to investing in personalised news, or 'My news now'.
"I hadn't heard this specific tag before, but it sounds like something we can really get our teeth into. If it means delivering news on demand to people wherever they are, and whatever device they are using, in whatever form they want, I'm up for it."
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