Why the BBC is a precious British institution and we need to stick up for it
The BBC is an institution that is vitally important to the UK for more reasons than one
Two very different but equally significant aspects of the BBC were jostling for position on the news agenda this weekend. While the audience was celebrating another barnstorming year for the Children in Need Appeal, the corporation was busy defending itself and its future from political attack.
A bad edit on a Panorama programme about Donald Trump has plunged our world-respected broadcaster into a crisis. High-level resignations and a fulsome apology to the US President have already been offered up to try mitigate the impact.
But none of us should be under any illusion about the danger not just to the BBC as a broadcaster but as one of the vital pillars of our liberal society. To attack the BBC is to undermine freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and indeed democracy itself in this country.
Charter renewal negotiations
That is not to say that they do not need to be transparent and held to account. The Panorama edit was a mistake. Nobody is defending it. What we must stand up for, however, is the independence of the BBC, its impartiality and its vital role as a trusted source of verified news.
It is no coincidence that this is all happening as the charter renewal negotiations begin. Or that it has been accompanied by calls for the government to interfere in its day-to-day running.
If freedom of the press is to continue to mean anything in this country, then that cannot happen. Because when wealthy interests who are working to curtail our rights and freedoms attack the BBC, it is because its reputation for truth and as a trusted provider of information runs contrary to the sort of press they want to see: a paid mouthpiece for vested interests.
We have seen in the US and are beginning to see here just exactly where that can lead: politicians going unchallenged on the media.
Bringing people together
To be fair to the current government, the Secretary of State for Culture, Lisa Nandy, has been relentless in her pursuit of a solution to the current crisis that will protect the future of the BBC. A credible public service broadcaster whose only responsibility is to the licence fee payer is vitally important.
Yes, the BBC has to be transparent and has to own its mistakes. And yes, we have to be ever-vigilant that they do not fall below the standards we expect.
There is no doubt the BBC has been slow to deal with several issues, like those around former presenter Huw Edwards or allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour by some individuals. However, I have to concur with Lisa Nandy who has said she is confident that the BBC is dealing with them.
We should also bear in mind its great strength, as she pointed out, in providing “a shared space which brings people across this country together” for events like Wimbledon, the Jubilee or Children in Need.
For playing that role alone, it is precious, and we should work to keep it that way.
Christine Jardine is the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West
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