BBC'S INDEPENDENCE HAILED AS 'SENSIBLE'

THE BBC have hailed the Government’s Communications White Paper which, they say, will benefit the public, the broadcasting industry, and maintain the BBC’s independence as "sensible".
Chairman of the BBC Board of Governors, Sir Christopher Bland, said: "The White Paper contains sensible proposals which maintain the independence of the modern BBC within a common regulatory framework. The Secretaries of State have managed the difficult task of steering a course between the interests and rights of audiences and the commercial needs of a modern and expanding industry."
In the chapter Securing Quality, the White Paper preserves the Governors’ core responsibilities inside the BBC. The Governors will maintain all existing responsibilities for content on all BBC services and retain sole responsibility for delivering the BBC’s public service remit in the modern media age. The Royal Charter is unchanged, as is the relationship with the Secretary of State and Parliament.
BBC Director General Greg Dyke said: "The White Paper has to prepare the industry for the 21st century. The licence fee settlement at the beginning of the year gave the BBC the financial security to prepare for the future. This provides the other important element - independent regulation for the BBC, clarity for audiences and a continued emphasis on the importance of public service broadcasting."
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