The government has given new powers over the BBC to Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator. Behind the move is the eventual destruction of the Corporation. Lucy Frazer is the Westminster Secretary of State with ultimate responsibility for the regulation of the BBC. Ms Frazer took up her current post on 7 February 2023. This means that as a Tory minister she has served an almost … [Read more...] about The plot to kill the BBC
BBC
Impartiality and public service media
It is difficult for outsiders to appreciate how significant it is that Gary Lineker, a former England footballer, was not permitted to present Match of the Day on BBC television, following comments by him on the British government’s xenophobia towards refugees. To get a handle on this we need to call in aid the late Ulrich Beck’s concept of ‘risk society’. What Beck meant was … [Read more...] about Impartiality and public service media
Is the BBC helping British democracy?
“Right wing Tories all agree It’s time to sell the BBC But seeing what the Beeb will do, Unprivatised, There’s no occasion to!” The Beeb is a perpetual Aunt Sally. One person’s considered opinion is another’s blatant bias, and for almost a century, its broadcasting has consistently upset someone. Traditionally, the Corporation has claimed a position of neutrality in a … [Read more...] about Is the BBC helping British democracy?
Exit Poll, BBC Election Night and systemic media bias
The main lines of British political culture over the next four and a half years were constituted by the election of 12 December, and especially by how the broadcasters, especially the BBC, represented the results overnight.Election night coverage remains one of the few ‘water cooler’ events in public service television. BBC One’s election night program peaked at 6.1 … [Read more...] about Exit Poll, BBC Election Night and systemic media bias
Broadcasting on every platform – Mind the Gap!
Just as light from a defunct star carries on, so the BBC’s stellar reputation survives despite its evident contemporary frailty (and constant accusations of political bias).Yet this one-time jewel of the British cultural crown, bullied relentlessly by each and every government, always required to compete, to show value for money and still be creative at the same time, is … [Read more...] about Broadcasting on every platform – Mind the Gap!