The Battle for the BBC’s Future

The Government’s long awaited Green Paper on the future of the BBC was published last month, as the process of renewing the national broadcaster’s charter (finally) gets underway. Our Deputy Executive Director Gareth Benest gives his response.

At IBT, we take a very active interest in the BBC and its capacity to provide windows onto the world for audiences across the UK. With the future of the BBC more threatened and less certain than at any time in its 100 year history, and as the forces of populism and extremism swirl around us, this Charter Renewal process could scarcely be more important.

We will be participating in the various consultations and striving to ensure the BBC expands its international coverage in all areas (not just news and current affairs). Here are our immediate responses to the Green Paper and some reflections on what’s missing and what we will be pushing for over the coming months.

Positive noises and promises to tackle big issues

There is a lot to like about the Green Paper. The Secretary of State (Lisa Nandy) clearly understands the critically important role that the BBC plays in our national life, saying “I believe the BBC, alongside the NHS, is one of the two most important institutions in our country. While one is fundamental to the health of our people, the other is fundamental to the health of our democracy.” We agree wholeheartedly and will be reminding the Culture Secretary that international coverage is critical to a healthy democracy but often overlooked and under-funded.

Her department (DCMS) have set out their thinking for how the BBC can be more effective in gaining and maintaining public trust and connecting with a broader range of audiences. They have also emphasised the importance of a stable and sustainable funding model for the BBC and the World Service. Again, this is all important and very welcome.

Protecting trust in the streaming age

For several years now, we’ve been pushing the government to increase the transparency and accountability of public service broadcasters (PSBs) as they deliver services through streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer. Last year, Ofcom accepted our recommendations for new obligations on ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 to disclose the nature of their algorithms and publish data about how their streaming platforms serve audiences. Ministers at the DCMS said they would consider similar measures for the BBC during the Charter Renewal process.

We are delighted, therefore, to see our concerns about the BBC’s use of algorithms being reflected in the green paper. The government has acknowledged that “…if due care is not taken, increased personalisation could risk the BBC’s ability to ensure people are widely informed about the world around them, and to create the shared narratives”.

The government says it will consider whether “…to bring the principles of ‘prime time’ into the digital world”, which would be a good start but there is much more work needed to address the issues set out in our latest report with the University of Leeds, which you can read here.

Missing the social impact

Whilst the green paper acknowledges the critical importance of the BBC to our democracy and civil society, the government has not prioritised increasing its social impact in its primary objectives. Sustainable funding, commanding public trust, driving growth and opportunities are all vitally important objectives, but so too is achieving social change and democratic renewal.

Closing the door to progressive funding

How the BBC is funded remains one of the most important and vexed questions facing the government, however, the funding options under consideration are disappointing at best. The Green Paper makes it clear that the government is not even considering a household levy, which has replaced the anachronistic licence fee in comparable countries.

Options still on the table include subscription models (which would end the idea of universality), enhanced licence fees (unlikely to turn the tide of people refusing or dodging the current licence fee), and even advertising on parts or all of the BBC (which would destroy commercial rivals and leave the BBC open to greater influence). This might be the most disappointing aspect of the green paper and appears to have slammed the door shut on progressive and universal funding models, before the consultation has even begun.

We will continue to make the case for a progressive public service media levy (also known as a household levy) collected through the council tax system, but we acknowledge this is unlikely to gain significant traction with a government that has refused to even consider it as an option.

Final reflections

The green paper takes several steps in the right direction on issues such as transparency and accountability, citizen participation and engagement, combatting mis/disinformation, governance, protection from political interference, and much else besides. We will be pushing for greater international coverage beyond news and current affairs, adequate and sustainable funding for the World Service, and genuine transparency in the use of algorithms.

We were in meetings with the BBC’s senior leadership when the government’s plans were published, and the overall sense was a feeling of optimism and relief to be working with a government that’s supportive of the broadcaster and willing to explore viable options rather than dictate terms. That was reassuring, as was the BBC’s apparent openness to consultation and collaboration with supportive organisations.

This is a hugely important moment for all of us as the future of the national broadcaster is at stake. We welcome the opportunity to respond to these proposals which we will do in consultation with IBT members so please let us know your views.

Gareth Benest is Deputy Executive Director of IBT