As a decision on a proposal to put ads on BBCNews.com nears, opposition to the plan is gathering steam. The National Union of Journalists has thrown its added its voice, warning of “creeping commercialisation”. Its posters bear the slogan, “Say no to McBBC – junk the ads.”
The commercial arm of the BBC, Worldwide, has tried to allay these fears by talking about attracting carefully selected premium advertisers. But this has done little to appease staff at BBCNews.com, many of whom have signed an e-petition against the plan.
The fate of BBCNews.com lies in the hands of the BBC Trust. It delayed a decision on the ads plan earlier this year but now looks set to make up its mind on May 23.
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