Budget: Scrap £159 BBC licence fee and sell Channel 4, urges TaxPayers’ Alliance October 26, 2021 The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has called for the sale of Channel 4 and the scrapping of the BBC licence fee ahead of the Budget this week. The campaign group has also proposed that most of the BBC should be sold off and the corporation cut down to one television channel, radio station and online service. [...]
Laura Kuenssberg to step down as BBC’s political editor October 22, 2021 The BBC has refused to speculate on reports Laura Kuenssberg is stepping down as its political editor to join the Today programme. The Guardian says Kuenssberg is negotiating stepping away from her role of the past six years as part of a major reshuffle of the BBC’s on-air staff. Her departure would leave open the [...]
BBC failed to properly search for Babes in the Wood victim’s clothes taken by Martin Bashir September 19, 2021 The BBC failed to conduct a proper search for a murdered schoolgirl’s clothes which were taken by journalist Martin Bashir and never returned, a Mail on Sunday investigation has claimed. Michelle Hadaway says Bashir obtained the clothes for DNA testing for BBC Two’s Public Eye programme 30 years ago, but the investigation did not air [...]
Ofcom approves return of BBC Three to TV screens in January September 17, 2021 Media watchdog Ofcom has approved the return of BBC Three to a broadcast channel, five years after it was moved online. The channel has been an online-only service since being taken off air in 2016 and carried acclaimed series like Fleabag, Killing Eve and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The BBC said it plans to relaunch [...]
New ‘Britishness’ requirements for public service broadcasters set out by Govt September 16, 2021 Plans to protect “distinctively British” shows and broadcasters have been set out by the Media Minister today at the Royal Television Society Convention. Media Minister John Whittingdale announced the new rules for public service broadcasters (PSBs) to make “iconic, not generic” British shows in a bid to help them compete with US streaming giants. The [...]
BBC director of news Fran Unsworth to exit next year September 7, 2021 The BBC’s director of news and current affairs, Fran Unsworth, is set to depart next year after four decades with the corporation. Unsworth said she feels the time is right to exit the coveted position, which she entered in 2018, after having a “ringside seat” at some of the world’s most era-shaping events. The departing [...]
Ex-BBC staffer trapped in Afghanistan: ‘Worst place in the world’ September 1, 2021 An Afghan who worked for the BBC has said his country is currently the “worst place in the world” to be a journalist, as he seeks evacuation to the UK with his wife and baby. Abdullah, whose name has been changed for his security, also criticised the BBC for not helping him to escape, adding [...]
BBC licence fee may shrink in real terms as ministers reject inflation link August 31, 2021 The BBC licence fee will increase by less than the rate of inflation out until 2026 because ministers are concerned about hitting households with higher bills, the Times has reported The dominant public service broadcaster is in the middle of a funding squeeze that has forced it to restructure major parts of its news production. [...]
Fatal blood clot: Coroner rules AstraZeneca vaccine caused death of BBC host Lisa Shaw August 27, 2021 The death of award-winning BBC radio presenter Lisa Shaw was caused by complications as a result of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, a coroner in Newcastle has concluded. Shaw died in May, just over three weeks after she had her first dose of the jab, an inquest in Newcastle heard on Thursday. The 44-year-old – who [...]
BBC set to tap Jess Brammar as news chief despite ‘bias’ row August 23, 2021 The BBC is poised to appoint Jess Brammar as its new head of news despite an online backlash against so-called ‘left-wing’ views. Brammar, former editor-in-chief of Huffpost UK and previously deputy editor of Newsnight, is expected to be appointed to a new role overseeing the broadcaster’s news output. It comes despite criticisms that the news [...]