Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
06/06/2002

Culture secretary criticised over BBC charter comments

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell has received a barrage of criticism from opposition MPs and industry leaders after she appeared to prejudge the government's review of the BBC licence fee review, saying that any change would be "somewhere between the improbable and the impossible".
Ms Jowell made her remarks in an interview with the Financial Times where she was drawn on the subject of the review which is due to take place between 2004 and 2006. Ms Jowell's statement that the current procedure would survive the 2006 charter was seized upon as evidence that the process was a rubber-stamping exercise.
Shadow culture secretary Tim Yeo said: "In the 10 years since the last charter renewal, the whole television and broadcasting sector has changed radically. To simply dismiss the alternative possibilities not only shows a closed mind but may also work against the interests of viewers and broadcasters."
Mr Yeo added that the licence fee is a "television tax" which people must pay even if they never choose to watch BBC programming. Whilst, the Tory spokesman was not directly opposed to the licence fee, he said that top-up subscriptions may be a viable alternative.
The licence fee structure has been fiercely opposed by independent producers who claim that the corporation are using public money to fund private commercial enterprises – which, they claim, gives the BBC an unfair advantage in the marketplace.
Advocates of the BBC have said that the licence fee allows the corporation independence from commercial interests, thereby ensuring the creation of quality niche and minority programming.
Should Labour be returned to government, which could occur during the charter review, it seems likely the BBC will continue to receive public funding until the next review in 2016.
The disposal of licence fee money by the BBC has also been picked up by educational publishers who say that the beeb's plans to offer "free" digital material online could cost them up to £400 million over the next five years.
The BBC had approached government for permission to spend £150 million of licence cash on the new service which, according to the Digital Learning Alliance, would "shrink the commercial sector to the tune of £400 million over five years".
The BBC have rejected this saying that at least half of the money invested would be made available for private publishers.
The BBC currently raises about £2.2 billion from the licence fee which stands at £109.
BBC, www.bbc.co.uk
(GMcG)
VMI.TV Ltd

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

13/04/2016
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
11/10/2006
BBC Licence Fee under review
The BBC has confirmed that it has reduced its bid for a hike in the licence fee from 2.3 % to 1.8 % over inflation. The BBC said it needed an inflatio
06/02/2018
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
11/04/2017
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
14/06/2010
BBC Licence Fee Set For Debate
The way in which the BBC is funded in the future is to be further analysed. The Government intends to discuss whether a TV licence fee "is the right w
18/01/2007
Hike On BBC Licence Fee Is 6% Over Two Years
The television licence fee will rise by 3% in each of the next two years, reaching £151 by 2012, it has been announced by the BBC. Culture Secretary T
16/01/2007
Licence Fee Payers To Have Tighter Rein On Strategic Direction Of BBC
For the first time, licence fee payers will have a say in how the BBC delivers its mission to inform, educate and entertain. The new Charter and Agree
11/10/2005
BBC regions welcome licence fee proposals
Audiences in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland will benefit directly from enhanced local services as a result of significant investment from the pr
11/10/2005
BBC launches case for new licence fee settlement
The BBC has unveiled its case for an increased licence fee settlement to "ensure that it continues to deliver value to licence payers" as moves contin
21/06/2004
DGA research recommends end of BBC licence fee
According to research conducted by David Graham & Associates Consulting (DGA), regulators and policy makers have not yet understood how difficult it w
28/08/2002
C4 chief claims "BBC commercialism risks licence fee"
Speaking at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, Tim Gardam, director of programming at Channel 4, has warned the BBC that its "a
02/10/2015
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
21/05/2015
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
04/11/2014
Production News - RTS Announces Craft & Design Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the shortlist for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013/2014. The winners will be announced at a ceremon
29/09/2017
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat