The fragility of the BBC’s independence from the state cannot continue to be ignored. Nor can its overall future be discussed in a silo.
Jean Seaton’s book on BBC in the 70s and 80s has been widely faulted. But is there some intrinsic reason why writing histories of the BBC is so difficult?
The English elite’s scare tactics in the run-up to the Scottish referendum involved promising to stop the game by taking away their balls – the pound, the pensions, Queen Elizabeth (1st of Scotland, notwithstanding) and, of course, the BBC. Some threats clearly addressed real matters of difficulty
Since its introduction in 1990, the statutory requirement that the BBC outsource 25% of its production has been elaborated. Now the Director General proposes instead a general free-for-all competition, not just for its own production budget but for all broadcasting. Why?
The real agenda: some proposals (eventually).
Brian Winston explains how the hypothecated tax and the BBC have gone together for the last 92 years like love and marriage: ‘you can’t have one without the other’.
The BBC’s independence is enshrined in, and protected by, its Charter – but, in most discussion of the Corporation, just how is a matter more of supposition than black-letter law, as Brian Winston argues.
Yesterday, the Scottish government launched its blueprint for a new Scotland. This week, OurKingdom is examining what it says. Here, Brian Winston looks at what this all means for the BBC.
