PR

The decision to drop the teatime edition of Newsround must have been round all available internal sensitivity tests before it proceeded to Ofcom. The watchdog is asked to approve a reduction in the annual hours of news output on CBBC from 85 to 35.

We're told it's not really a budget cut, but a cut to release more funds to support online news aimed at children - "We’ll still have at least one daily TV bulletin of Newsround at the same time as doubling our online offer, which is where more and more children are getting their news.”

A former Newsround editor, Sinead Rocks, now leading C4's bust-out from London, doesn't like it. "In these times, Newsround needs more prominence - not less. The ability to watch with parents / families is also important. Relying mainly on a child’s ability and interest to seek it out online is short sighted and sad.

"Tv slots can be important shop windows with potential to capture different audiences. Prominence [is] also vital for secure ongoing funding. Visibility and prominence increases [the] chance to convert new audiences."  Sinead's words were echoed by Owenna Griffiths, now running PM on Radio 4: As another #formereditor (with the daunting task of following @sinead_rocks), I agree with this. With an audience of children who have no voice in the public sphere, it’s easy to forget what a vital and important service Newsround provides, across all platforms. "

Robert Thompson, Senior News Editor for BBC News chimed in: "#Newsround changed a lot when we worked on it and it should continue to evolve but it needs to be on all platforms to make a difference to children’s lives."

Current Newsround presenter Ricky Boleto also has anxieties: "What do we gain by losing our afternoon bulletin ? I've struggled to come up with an answer for that."  Former Newsround presenter-now-with-sport Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes wrote "As a very proud former Newsround Presenter this makes me very sad. Has there ever been a more important time for kids to know what's REALLY going on in the world?"

Sports correspondent Natalie Pirks wrote "My eldest daughter watches the afternoon bulletin. Often I’ll be talking about something that’s happened in the news and she’ll say ‘oh yes, I saw that on Newsround’. With our push for younger audiences that seems a backwards step."