Today programme suffers ‘body blow’ as BBC prioritises social and digital content

For decades, the task of briefing the nation on Radio 4’s agenda-setting Today programme has been one of the most urgent tasks facing the BBC’s top journalists. However, insiders at the corporation say that duty has effectively been downgraded, after an edict that will result in correspondents prioritising making content for TikTok, Instagram and other digital platforms. The Guardian understands that staff at Today were told last week that social and digital platforms were now the top priority for correspondents, effectively deprioritising traditional television and radio – including the flagship show. Combined with cuts to the number of journalists , some fear the change will increasingly mean Today being forced to use non-BBC reporters and spokespeople, especially in the early part of its three-hour run. “This feels like a tweak but it’s actually a body blow,” said one Radio 4 insider. “Today has stayed healthy in the digital age by being well resourced and dependable … if something happens and you need to know about it – perhaps before going to work – then no other broadcaster can match it. “But the plan appears to be for Today to hear from, for instance Steve Rosenberg if Putin dies, only after Steve has satisfied people who get their news on TikTok . Those 10 minutes serve to chip away the relevance of Today to the life of the nation. …