Policy & advocacy @mediareformUK @hackinginquiry. PhD press & broadcasting policy, lectured @Kingspol_econ @MediaComGold, future of PSB research @CardiffJOMEC
Joined June 2010
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We’re told the BBC belongs to all of us. In reality, we have no power over how 'our BBC' is run, governed or funded.
Now the BBC Charter review has begun, I've started Whose Beeb? to write about the politics & policy shaping the future of UK public media: whosebeeb.substack.com/p/gre…
Our brazenly corrupt political/media culture distilled in 10s.
When most politicians watch this chummy crap or see Farage heading GB News for £££, they don't think "god, what an insult to democracy, journalism & the public's intelligence". They think "god, I wish that was me!"
FWIW this is what a ‘permanent’ BBC Charter means in practice. Proponents don’t really want to protect the BBC from gov, and certainly don’t care for real democratic accountability - it’s a transparent gimmick to ‘shield’ an unreformed BBC from Reform
I have no problem with the mainstream media shining a light on Reform. Supporting the principle of a free press means defending that type of scrutiny. However, if *every* undercover investigation is targeted at Reform and not at other parties (all of whom have their bad apples), it will just look like a politically-motivated witch-hunt by a partisan media establishment. Ironically, that will end up playing into Reform's hands - reinforcing the party's message that the entire establishment is against it.
Tom Chivers retweeted
What no MP seems to want to tackle is the uncomfortable question that lurks within this statement: if people can’t afford £15 a month for a licence fee, why can’t they? What kind of politics is it when MPs propose scrapping public services rather than tackling wages and poverty?
People are already paying for subscriptions to Netflix, YouTube, Sky and countless other streaming services. If the BBC is struggling to stay afloat, perhaps it’s time to scrap the archaic TV licence fee and move to a subscription-based model. Let people decide for themselves whether the BBC is worth paying for, rather than forcing everyone to fund a service they have little interest in watching.
With the cost of living already sky-high, why should ordinary people be forced to shoulder yet another financial burden to prop up an institution they neither use nor wish to support? The idea of effectively making people pay more for their existing streaming and entertainment habits to fund the BBC is completely out of touch with the financial pressures households are facing.
People are already struggling to afford even the simplest pleasures in life. A trip to the cinema, a meal out or a night socialising with friends can feel like a luxury these days. For many, a Netflix subscription or a bit of YouTube at home is one of the few affordable ways to unwind and escape the daily grind. Stop reaching further into people's pockets and taking away what little respite they have left.
If the BBC wants to remain relevant and financially sustainable, it should have to persuade people that its content is worth paying for, just like every other subscription service. If people value it, they’ll subscribe. If they don’t, that should be their choice.
The last thing people need during a cost-of-living crisis is another unpopular, forced charge. I suspect it could provoke resentment on a scale reminiscent of the poll tax.
Give people choice, respect their finances and let the BBC earn its subscribers rather than forcing the public to fund it.
“The BBC” is not a person, but it’s true that the former commercial TV execs and private industry bigwigs brought in to lead it over the last 30 years have tried to bring ‘business savvy’ to public media principles, and failed miserably at both
Worth noting the speed and severity with which BBC programmes that people actually like have been axed, compared to how quickly rumours of Newsnight being canned were denied. The crap chat show is here to stay
"If you want to lift up the poor, you have to create wealth."
"How's that going?"
Podcaster and former Mumford & Sons member Winston Marshall discusses taxes with economist and Green Party supporter Faiza Shaheen.
#Newsnight
For all the political & media grandstanding over the UAE/Telegraph takeover, barely anybody engaged with the legal process for stopping it.
Almost as though the process isn't fit for purpose! mediareform.org.uk/blog/dcms…
UAE had ‘clear incentives’ to influence Telegraph coverage, Ofcom finds ft.trib.al/NOvF7b9
One is a bloated wreck coasting on a myth, wasting billions on boondoggle projects, driving a dumbed down, fickle culture of ideological untruths, facing constant allegations of graft and sexual misconduct.
The other is the BBC.
This quoted post is unavailable.
Full-throttle free market fundamentalism from a former Your Party figurehead
This Charter Review has exposed many policymakers' total lack of democratic ideals or principles about public media, right across the political spectrum
People are already paying for subscriptions to Netflix, YouTube, Sky and countless other streaming services. If the BBC is struggling to stay afloat, perhaps it’s time to scrap the archaic TV licence fee and move to a subscription-based model. Let people decide for themselves whether the BBC is worth paying for, rather than forcing everyone to fund a service they have little interest in watching.
With the cost of living already sky-high, why should ordinary people be forced to shoulder yet another financial burden to prop up an institution they neither use nor wish to support? The idea of effectively making people pay more for their existing streaming and entertainment habits to fund the BBC is completely out of touch with the financial pressures households are facing.
People are already struggling to afford even the simplest pleasures in life. A trip to the cinema, a meal out or a night socialising with friends can feel like a luxury these days. For many, a Netflix subscription or a bit of YouTube at home is one of the few affordable ways to unwind and escape the daily grind. Stop reaching further into people's pockets and taking away what little respite they have left.
If the BBC wants to remain relevant and financially sustainable, it should have to persuade people that its content is worth paying for, just like every other subscription service. If people value it, they’ll subscribe. If they don’t, that should be their choice.
The last thing people need during a cost-of-living crisis is another unpopular, forced charge. I suspect it could provoke resentment on a scale reminiscent of the poll tax.
Give people choice, respect their finances and let the BBC earn its subscribers rather than forcing the public to fund it.
Tom Chivers retweeted
We're deeply concerned that the Shadow Culture Secretary appears to be arguing for an end to almost all public investment in arts & culture.
A cut of this magnitude would be unprecedented and catastrophic. We've requested a full explanation of the numbers and a serious rethink.
We will cut the arts & culture budget by £1bn in order to fund 50,000 prison places. Keeping rapists and other dangerous offenders locked up is a priority for the @Conservatives. We will always put community safety first.
@RichmoMusic If you need help understanding the numbers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Always happy to talk you through.
thetimes.com/article/77bcee1…
Only the government could devise such an openly antagonising & ultimately dysfunctional funding model. They are sadistically obsessed with a ‘device linked’ licence, rather than making any serious case for public investment in British media
Tom Chivers retweeted
MPs' proposals for renewing the BBC's Royal Charter fail to match the scale and urgency of crises facing the BBC.
Read the MRC's statement & analysis of the recent Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report on BBC Charter Review: mediareform.org.uk/blog/sele…
Tom Chivers retweeted
Today on Feedback, we're hearing your thoughts on the recent cuts to @bbcradio4, specifically the axing of #YouAndYours.
Here's a sample of what you have to say about the end of the long running consumer advice programme.
Listen at 3.30pm 📻
Feedback | @bbcsounds
ALT Quotes from listener regarding the cuts to BBC Radio 4, specifically You and Yours, as follows: "Who is the BBC trying to appeal to and retain with these changes in programmes, in addition to making cutbacks?" "The service to consumers it provides is invaluable and covers everyday issues affecting everyone." "Winifred is a superb communicator and does a brilliant job. I cannot understand how cutting this programme will be cost-effective."
Tom Chivers retweeted
The NUJ's just put this statement out on the BBC's decision to scrap You and Yours:
Tom Chivers retweeted
Oh and ofc, we lost Birmingham-produced ‘Doctors’ during the time Andy Street was Mayor, ended because the Government’s licence fee freeze meant the BBC had significantly less money.
Tom Chivers retweeted
I like Andy Street, he’s smart, but the reality is that during his reign as Mayor (2017-2024), the BBC continued to be subjected to financial traumas by various Tory governments and I can’t find any evidence he said anything about them. Difficult choices for the cash-starved BBC.
How can the BBC invest in a headquarters in Digbeth, yet consider moving The Archers out of Brum?
When we secured that investment, losing shows was never part of the plan.
After 75 years, it is part of the WM's heritage. The BBC must reconsider.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crpd…
Tom Chivers retweeted
#TheArchers, the worlds longest running soap opera, will stop being recorded in Birmingham because BBC can't afford to build a new studio for it at its new Digbeth building, so it will change location
-This sounds impractical for actors & production staff who live near Birmingham
Tom Chivers retweeted
📢New co-authored article out today examining executive remuneration & developing the concept of elite welfare.🧵cambridge.org/core/journals/…
Tom Chivers retweeted
Particularly true of Radio 4, which has completely and indeed doggedly refused to make any attempt whatsoever to evolve a frame of reference beyond boomer centrism over the last few years. Corpse of a radio station
