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BBC independence ‘eroded', says director general
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be the first to commentPosted by David Sillito BBC Arts Correspondent
The BBC's political independence has been gradually eroded, according to the corporation's director general. In a speech to business leaders today, Tony Hall will urge changes to the way the broadcaster is regulated. He wants licence fee payers to have a greater say than politicians. Lord Hall says there has been a “major change" over the past 20 years which has made the foundations of the BBC's independence “weaker". The government has yet to comment.
“When I was working in news and current affairs in the '90s, the independence of the BBC was protected by a set of quiet customs and traditions," he will say. “Back then it was Willie Whitelaw who'd provided us with the certainty of a 15-year Charter, underpinning our independence by allowing us stability through the political cycle. “When I returned to the BBC as director general, I was struck by a major change. The foundations of the BBC's independence had become weaker. The traditions and informal arrangements which protected it had been eroded."
He cites the decision to fund government programmes such as digital switchover, rural broadband and local TV as examples of how the licence fee should not have been used. He also suggests recent licence fee settlements have been decided behind closed doors without a “full process".
Future licence fee negotiations should, he says, be made with the input of licence fee payers possibly by an online vote.
More at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34894250
DATELINE: 23 November, 2015
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