The BBC is fighting for its life. Let’s use our voice to shape the BBC we want

Ritula Shah, former presenter of The World Tonight on BBC Radio 4, understands the importance of the BBC. For our latest IBT Voices article, she explains how we can all have our say in a public consultation as the broadcaster goes into Charter renewal.

I landed in a shocked New York days after 9/11. The dust hung in the air and caught the back of your throat. The city’s irrepressible residents were keen to talk to the BBC and the yellow cab drivers, who almost all described ‘home’ as somewhere outside the US, had their radios tuned to the station I was reporting for – the World Service.   

For me, this story illustrates the reach of the BBC and especially the World Service. For decades, it has been the trusted provider of news and information all over the world. But we have a rare opportunity to make our voices heard. 

The BBC is facing challenges unlike any in its history 

The BBC has always survived criticism and challenges, but now, it faces an uphill battle like never before: attacks from both sides of the political spectrum and a severe funding crisis. 

Since the resignation of Director General Tim Davie, along with Head of News Deorah Turness, in November last year following the controversial Trump Panorama edit, the broadcaster now finds itself heading into Charter renewal with unclear leadership.

There are political and commercial actors hellbent on dismantling the BBC as we know it. Despite its outsize influence, the BBC is a minnow in the globalised media world. Many of the broadcaster’s opponents believe this is the moment to strike to ensure the BBC is weakened. 

Never has the BBC faced an existential crisis like it does today. 

We can all have our say as part of the public consultation 

Now the future of the entire organisation is under review as the UK government begins the process of renewing the BBC’s Charter (its constitutional basis). 

As part of the process of Charter Renewal, the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a public consultation. This is a really significant opportunity to influence the kind of content the BBC makes and promotes in the future. 

Those of us who believe in a diverse and independent media can and should use this as an opportunity to make our voices heard.

Take question 13 for example, which asks what kind of programming the BBC should make more visible on its platforms; one of the options is “Arts, religious and international affairs programming”. Picking this category matters because if the content isn’t visible, audiences won’t watch it, which in turn means there’s less justification for making it. 

A little later, the survey asks, ‘what if anything, do you believe would improve the value and relevance of BBC news and current affairs to you?’ And here, ‘reporting more international stories’, jumps out.

And for question 18, the question specifically about the BBC’s international output and the role of the World Service as a news provider, we can all emphasise the importance of the BBC’s global voice. As someone who presented for the World Service for many years, I know how important it is to people’s lives around the world, as well as for those in the UK who want to know what is happening beyond our own borders. 

We need to rally round the World Service

The World Service has been particularly impaired due to funding cuts over the past decade. This is a rare opportunity for us to use our voice and tell the government that we want our BBC to play a global role. 

Millions around the world rely on and enjoy the World Service output. Papy Kasereka, a local peacebuilder based in Beni, DRC, is one of them: “The World Service plays a crucial role because it regularly disseminates information in several languages, in a context where we often receive biased information from journalists frequently paid by or in the pay of politicians, and where other actors often resort to outright disinformation.”

He goes on, “BBC World often publishes in-depth articles related to politics, social issues, the environment, and health. This freely available information helps us, as citizens, to stay informed, educate ourselves, and develop our skills and abilities. It’s a goldmine of information.”

“The BBC World Service is a unique and precious institution,” Mary Hockaday, a former controller of BBC World Service English and my old colleague, told me. “At a time of great global uncertainty, when China and Russia are spending billions of dollars on state sponsored media, people need fair and independent journalism, made without fear or favour.”

We should therefore remind the government of the political importance of having a properly-funded World Service. 

Please, take the time to fill in the survey

The BBC faces formidable challenges at home and globally. Its commercial competitors have deep pockets but few constraints on the content, quality or diversity of programmes they make and distribute. 

There is an obligation to speak up by those of us who value a serious, impartial source of information, that isn’t driven by profit but by quality. Make sure you have your say. The BBC needs you. 

Ritula Shah is the former presenter of The World Tonight, The World Today and Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4. You can fill out the public consultation on the future of the BBC here.