Funding the BBC-again

James Purnell's remarks about top slicing the license fee and using it to fund other broadcaster has incurred the ire of Polly Toynbee


Polly writing in this morning's Guardian says

This is no time to start an epic battle over the fate of the BBC, which is more loved and trusted than any government can hope to be. Every poll shows the BBC is a national treasure - yes, even when it blunders and is never quite as good as its high rhetoric. Yet for reasons that are essentially frivolous, Labour is toying with its demise.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the Beeb and there are many including its role in today's multi broadcasting environment

the BBC needs competition from other public service broadcasters. Indeed it does, but not by first cutting the BBC back. Now, top-slicing the licence fee to subsidise others is suddenly becoming the government's way to fund an ailing Channel 4.

Def worth a read