BBC axes popular TV show after nearly 30 years as host says 'it's depressing news'

ok.co.uk:

BBC's HARDtalk, a staple in hard-hitting journalism, is facing its final curtain call after an impressive three-decade run.The programme has fallen victim to the latest round of layoffs at the BBC, with 130 roles being slashed in the news division.The news comes after an announcement earlier in the year when Director General Tim Davie had announced a 500-person workforce reduction.

Upon receiving the update, face of HARDtalk since 2005, Stephen Sackur, expressed his feelings on Twitter. He wrote: "PERSONAL NEWS: Today BBC News has announced plans to close @BBCHARDtalk after 3 decades of holding the world's politicians and powerbrokers to account." Stephen's tweet didn't end there; he added, "This is sad news for me personally, but much more important, I think it's depressing news for the BBC and all who believe in the importance of independent, rigorous deeply-researched journalism.

At a time when disinformation and media manipulation are poisoning public discourse HARDtalk is unique - a long-form interview show with only one mission." He lamented further, adding to the series of tweets, "To hold to account those who all too often avoid accountability in their own countries.

Anyone who has seen our interviews with Hugo Chavez, Sergei Lavrov, Meles Zenawi, Lula, Nancy Pelosi, Recep Tayep Erdogan, Emmanuel Macron, Imran Khan, Olusegan Abasanjo, and countless others over the years will know HARDtalk was never just another news show.", reports the Mirror.