The BBC is facing the threat of strikes after thousands of journalists, technicians and other staff voted massively in favour of industrial action in a row over pensions, it was announced today.

The BBC faced the threat of strikes today amid claims that up to 600 jobs could be axed after the corporation confirmed the closure of its digital radio station 6 Music.

BBC staff will hear details today of plans to axe up to 2,800 jobs to help plug a £2bn (€2.9bn) funding shortfall, which could lead to a wave of strikes by journalists and broadcasting workers.

The BBC faced fresh anger today when the main broadcasting union warned against targeting junior production staff over the competition phone-in crisis.

BBC executives are believed to have waived their annual bonus after the corporation failed to meet its diversity targets, it has emerged.

A leading trade union has expressed “outrage” that members will have to pledge support for Labour’s policies during the forthcoming ballot for the election of a new Deputy Leader, it was disclosed today.

Telecoms giant NTL announced plans today to cut its workforce by 6,000 following its recent merger with rival Telewest.

Colleagues tonight paid tribute to the Irish man who drowned when a tourist boat sank off the coast of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf.

THE BBC ditched some of its flagship news programmes yesterday as it was forced to drastically change its schedules because of the biggest strike against the corporation in over a decade in a bitter row over jobs.

The BBC will hear today if its programmes face the threat of disruption because of a dispute over job losses.

Technicians and other production staff at ITV have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, it was announced today.

Almost 130 staff are to lose their jobs in the BBC’s Factual and Learning division which makes documentaries, religious and arts programmes, the corporation announced today.