BLAND CLAIMS NEWS AT TEN IS IN VIEWERS’ BEST INTERESTS

BBC Chairman Sir Christopher Bland delivering a speech to an audience of opinion formers in Belfast said the decision to move the BBC One News from nine to ten o’clock was taken in the best interests of the viewers.
He also reaffirmed the independence of the BBC Governors.
At the conference Sir Christopher said keeping the news at nine o’clock would have been an easier option in the face of political pressure.
He also said that politicians of all parties are entitled to their views on scheduling issues. He drew attention to the change of Radio Four’s parliamentary coverage, which arose after MPs highlighted concerns that the original proposals they had produced were and unacceptable ‘democratic deficit’.
Sir Christopher said: “But the day that politicians decide on the schedules of the BBC will be a sad day for democracy. And it would be ironic, paradoxical, if our recent clear demonstration of the independence of the Board of Governors from our political pressure resulted in any diminution of that independence in the forthcoming Communications review, Parliament was wise to insulate itself from control of the BBC through the mechanism of the Board of Governors. I believe it is wise enough to recognise the importance of maintaining the independence inherent in that structure.”
Sir Christopher then outlined the reasons the BBC Governors approved the move of the main BBC News: “We have done so because we believe it is in the best interests of viewers. So far, so good, as we achieved an audience of close to six million on Monday and even more on Tuesday, somewhat above our expectations, though I should emphasis it is early days.”