If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But, ignoring the old adage, the UK government yesterday published a white paper proposing wide-ranging, and what was denounced as ideological, reform for the widely regarded 94-year-old BBC.. The proposals, already exciting controversy – Peter Kosminsky, director of "Wolf Hall", warned at the BAFTAs at the weekend that the government was trying to "eviscerate" the BBC – combined both radical governance changes and new commercial imperatives.
The BBC will be run by a new unitary board, instead of its old trust, six of whose members will be appointed by the government. Concerns have understandably been raised that this will jeopardise its independence and dangerously blur the distinction between public service and state broadcaster. The BBC and the opposition hoped to depoliticise appointments by arguing for a system in which an independent commission, like that of the Irish Press Council, made the appointments.
The decision to put the corporation, for the first time in its history, under the external remit of broadcasting regulator Ofcom – it oversees its commercial rivals and is predominantly concerned with competition issues – is a victory for the commercial sector which has long complained about public funding of commercial enterprises. The BBC's free provision of extensive online news and information, like RTÉ, has meant many commercial groups struggle to charge for content. Another outside body, the National Audit Office, will oversee BBC spending
Although Minister for Culture, John Whittingdale has conceded that Ofcom will not be able to challenge scheduling of successful programmes like Strictly Come Dancing, he has ordered the BBC to ensure it is providing "distinctive content" rather than simply competing for ratings with commercial rivals. Producers are alarmed about how such an injunction will play out in practice. And within its programming, the BBC will also be forced to open up its programme-making to greater competition. Rich pickings are in prospect for the independent sector.