Up to 150 jobs could go at RT╔ as the broadcaster seeks to cut costs because of the deteriorating economic climate, union sources said yesterday. The unions were told by management earlier this week that advertising revenue was continuing to suffer as a result of the economic downturn.

"The budgets for next year are being prepared in the context of the aftermath of September 11th," an RT╔ spokeswoman said.

She said no decision had been taken on where cuts would be made. Union sources said it would be hard to achieve the cuts on top of the more than 300 voluntary redundancies already agreed, without damaging output. RT╔ had agreed to cut its budget by up to £15 million (€19 million) this year.