NUJ response to the BBC director general’s speech
The union welcomed Tim Davie’s commitment to journalism, but is concerned about the rapid move of operations to BBC Studios and the decline of the public service BBC operation.
Sian Jones, NUJ national broadcasting organiser, said:
“The NUJ is concerned about the ‘leaner’ public service reference made by the director general in today’s speech. Cuts have consequences and the BBC’s high quality and strong reputation can only be maintained through proper funding and a robust commitment to the public service operation which remains free of commercial interference – vitally important in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.
“We welcome the importance placed by Tim Davie on impartial journalism and strong news provision, although this somewhat flies in the face of cuts to Newsnight, Panorama and current affairs. In an election year, it’s crucial to have a strong BBC with universal reach to provide audiences with impartial information free from AI supercharged fake news. We welcome the acknowledgement of the safety concerns that journalists face globally, including recent acts against BBC Persian and other Iranian journalists for simply doing their job. Such threats must not impede impartial and accurate journalism in the public interest.
“While the NUJ advocates the use of new and varied platforms for content, we are concerned about accessibility and availability of content for traditional linear audiences and for those with accessibility needs. For the BBC to be truly ‘ours’ it needs to reflect and be available to everyone in all communities.
“We welcome the efforts to secure a return to government funding for the World Service, which has a proven record of delivering significant soft power for the UK overseas. On the future of the licence fee, we look forward to engaging in a meaningful consultation with the aim of securing the long-term future of the UK’s national broadcaster. We support an approach which is progressive, fair and proportionate.
“The NUJ is seeking further information about the proposed move of BBC Monitoring into the commercial Studios arm alongside an ongoing discussion about union recognition for NUJ members in the wholly-owned subsidiary.”
Sian Jones, NUJ national broadcasting organiser, said: “The NUJ is concerned about the ‘leaner’ public service reference made by the director general in today’s speech. Cuts have consequences and the BBC’s high quality and strong reputation can only be maintained through proper funding and a robust commitment to the public service operation which remains free of commercial interference – vitally important in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.
“We welcome the importance placed by Tim Davie on impartial journalism and strong news provision, although this somewhat flies in the face of cuts to Newsnight, Panorama and current affairs. In an election year, it’s crucial to have a strong BBC with universal reach to provide audiences with impartial information free from AI supercharged fake news. We welcome the acknowledgement of the safety concerns that journalists face globally, including recent acts against BBC Persian and other Iranian journalists for simply doing their job. Such threats must not impede impartial and accurate journalism in the public interest.
“While the NUJ advocates the use of new and varied platforms for content, we are concerned about accessibility and availability of content for traditional linear audiences and for those with accessibility needs. For the BBC to be truly ‘ours’ it needs to reflect and be available to everyone in all communities.
“We welcome the efforts to secure a return to government funding for the World Service, which has a proven record of delivering significant soft power for the UK overseas. On the future of the licence fee, we look forward to engaging in a meaningful consultation with the aim of securing the long-term future of the UK’s national broadcaster. We support an approach which is progressive, fair and proportionate.”
“The NUJ is seeking further information about the proposed move of BBC Monitoring into the commercial Studios arm alongside an ongoing discussion about union recognition for NUJ members in the wholly-owned subsidiary.”