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We must stand up for the BBC We must stand up for the BBC
(7 days later)
Another "crisis" at the BBC, and up go the cries from predictable quarters to dismantle its governance and have it regulated by Ofcom. First, did the BBC overpay its departing executives? Emphatically yes. It is impossible to justify to the 26.8 million licence fee payers who, one by one, met the cost of payoffs totalling £60m, whatever the technical reasons. Monday's Commons select committee mauling showed how out of touch the BBC has been. However, this is not a crisis for the "soul of the BBC", and nor does this overpayment of departing executives mean that the trust model is broken and beyond the possibility of reform.Another "crisis" at the BBC, and up go the cries from predictable quarters to dismantle its governance and have it regulated by Ofcom. First, did the BBC overpay its departing executives? Emphatically yes. It is impossible to justify to the 26.8 million licence fee payers who, one by one, met the cost of payoffs totalling £60m, whatever the technical reasons. Monday's Commons select committee mauling showed how out of touch the BBC has been. However, this is not a crisis for the "soul of the BBC", and nor does this overpayment of departing executives mean that the trust model is broken and beyond the possibility of reform.
For those who call for the BBC to be placed under Ofcom's control, it should be pointed out that the BBC is already in part regulated by Ofcom, whose broadcast code applies in the protection of under-18s, harm and offence, avoidance of inciting crime, fairness, privacy and religious content. The BBC's commercial services must also comply with the Ofcom code.For those who call for the BBC to be placed under Ofcom's control, it should be pointed out that the BBC is already in part regulated by Ofcom, whose broadcast code applies in the protection of under-18s, harm and offence, avoidance of inciting crime, fairness, privacy and religious content. The BBC's commercial services must also comply with the Ofcom code.
These usually rightwing and competitor voices never accept that we have a flourishing commercial broadcasting sector but we also have a BBC which exists, by public consent, as a large and intentional market intervention.These usually rightwing and competitor voices never accept that we have a flourishing commercial broadcasting sector but we also have a BBC which exists, by public consent, as a large and intentional market intervention.
So why is the trust the best model for the governance of the BBC and why was change needed? First, the trust was created to address the dysfunctional and cosy relationship that existed between the executives and the governors in the past, the flaws of which were revealed by the 2004 Hutton inquiry.So why is the trust the best model for the governance of the BBC and why was change needed? First, the trust was created to address the dysfunctional and cosy relationship that existed between the executives and the governors in the past, the flaws of which were revealed by the 2004 Hutton inquiry.
Second, the BBC is a near unique organisation managed by its executive and governed, in the public interest, by the trust. In general, the BBC is best served by keeping government as far away as is possible from interference in its affairs. The BBC belongs to the public who pay for it – it is not taxpayers' money that the BBC spends but the money of millions of licence fee payers.Second, the BBC is a near unique organisation managed by its executive and governed, in the public interest, by the trust. In general, the BBC is best served by keeping government as far away as is possible from interference in its affairs. The BBC belongs to the public who pay for it – it is not taxpayers' money that the BBC spends but the money of millions of licence fee payers.
Can the trust do more to define this public interest role? Of course it can, and this was obvious from the select committee's savage interrogation. The BBC Trust was created in 2006 in response to the largest deliberative consultation to date with the public in the course of developing a new charter and negotiating the new licence fee. But the trust has not been a strong or assertive enough voice on behalf of the licence fee payer.Can the trust do more to define this public interest role? Of course it can, and this was obvious from the select committee's savage interrogation. The BBC Trust was created in 2006 in response to the largest deliberative consultation to date with the public in the course of developing a new charter and negotiating the new licence fee. But the trust has not been a strong or assertive enough voice on behalf of the licence fee payer.
One big step it could take would be to mutualise the BBC, to make its ownership and governance beyond doubt. Each licence fee payer would be a shareholder in the BBC, and no bandit raid by a secretary of state would be possible on its content, funding or structure. As one of our most treasured and important public institutions, the principles of mutualism – democratic ownership, solidarity and equity – would fit perfectly with the BBC's editorial remit of impartiality, transparency and accountability.One big step it could take would be to mutualise the BBC, to make its ownership and governance beyond doubt. Each licence fee payer would be a shareholder in the BBC, and no bandit raid by a secretary of state would be possible on its content, funding or structure. As one of our most treasured and important public institutions, the principles of mutualism – democratic ownership, solidarity and equity – would fit perfectly with the BBC's editorial remit of impartiality, transparency and accountability.
Mutualising the BBC would strengthen the trust's hand in relation to the executive and give the organised voice of its licence fee paying shareholders more of a say over programmes and direction. It might also help to underline the challenges in generating good quality output in an age where so much content can be produced for free. By electing all or a majority of the trustees by the members, the autonomy of the BBC and its independence from government and external pressures would be better safeguarded. It is a simple principle that if we pay for the BBC, the institution should be more accountable to us.Mutualising the BBC would strengthen the trust's hand in relation to the executive and give the organised voice of its licence fee paying shareholders more of a say over programmes and direction. It might also help to underline the challenges in generating good quality output in an age where so much content can be produced for free. By electing all or a majority of the trustees by the members, the autonomy of the BBC and its independence from government and external pressures would be better safeguarded. It is a simple principle that if we pay for the BBC, the institution should be more accountable to us.
At a time when public trust is so low, the BBC has proved time and time again its resilience. Its founding principles are to inform, educate and entertain. It is truly a public good which, despite everything, continues to be an incredibly successful global broadcaster providing high-quality journalism, factual programming and drama, and keeping journalistic and production values higher in the commercial sector than if it didn't exist. It is part of our national identity – let's stand up for it.At a time when public trust is so low, the BBC has proved time and time again its resilience. Its founding principles are to inform, educate and entertain. It is truly a public good which, despite everything, continues to be an incredibly successful global broadcaster providing high-quality journalism, factual programming and drama, and keeping journalistic and production values higher in the commercial sector than if it didn't exist. It is part of our national identity – let's stand up for it.
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