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Hmm: "The people rushing to defend the BBC are tilting at windmills." (J Whittingdale)
JW apparently said most people agreed the licence fee was good value for money, the BBC didn't have a left-wing bias, 'I would be very unhappy if the BBC didn't exist. No one is talking about dismantling the BBC.'
The BBC spokesman slightly on the back foot?
'Weak arguments' of the BBC (D Elstein). Distinctiveness is where the debate will be. What the BBC should do and how big it should be.
Fascinating developments - and the BBC criticised for its own hasty reactions. We shall see …
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
'Thanks to W1A we're cursed at the BBC when it comes to marketing'
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
I noticed it this afternoon when I was looking for the television schedules (didn't make the connection with W1A, though).
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
It will doubtless be seen a lot on the news in the hours and days to come.
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
Hm! OfCom have stated that they don't want the regulation of the BBC trust upon them. Despite that I think they will get the job anyway and will be paid via the BBC for doing so.
Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky uses his Bafta acceptance speech for best TV drama series to defend the independence of the BBC, saying it was "under threat".
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
Looks like it has a good amount of text in it unlike the last thing we had from DCMS on the subject. Not a lot about radio [no surprise there]. Look at page 109+ for the opinions collected in the public survey - on the whole very positive for the BBC as it is.
p. 70 on programme trails … looks as if the BBC hasn't managed to lobby quite as hard as it did last time:
"The BBC, like other broadcasters, promotes its programmes and services across its television channels, radio stations and online services via trailers and links. Promotion of this kind can benefit audiences, allowing them to hear about programmes which might interest them, and thereby bring the BBC’s unique public service content to the widest range of audiences.
However, given that the BBC is perceived as being ‘advertisement free’ there are legitimate questions to be raised about the extent to which it should be using its valuable airtime on either television or on radio "advertising its own programmes."
As Gordon said - hard to find much about radio: R1 & R2 perceived (by listeners) to be more like commercial rivals (more agree than disagree); and noted (!) that radio budgets are more evenly distributed between services than television budgets - partly distorted, it should be said, because there are more radio stations for the share-out.
Still looking for something explosive …
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
The real explosive issue for me is the idea that the Government can appoint people directly to be a part of running the BBC rather than simply as its oversight body . The BBC has IMO been acting as a government mouthpiece especially on economic policy for the past 5 years and frequently ignores embarrassing stories for the Government . It caved cravenly in to demands it funded the World Service and pensioners free licences .
have no doubt this has been in part due to their fears on charter renewal . They have been rewarded today by a less aggressive regime of interference from Whittingdale than expected but the idea of direct government appointees on their board sends shivers down the spine . Any non -employee members of this new Board should be appointed by an independent commission .
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