BBC News is to be protected against “dumbing down” remaining
impartial and of the highest standard, according to the Government
Green Paper published today (02.03.05).
impartial and of the highest standard, according to the Government
Green Paper published today (02.03.05).
Outlining her long-awaited green paper Media
Secretary Tessa Jowell promised more prime-time documentarites,
original drama, arts and current affairs programmes across all the
BBC’s TV and radio channels.
Secretary Tessa Jowell promised more prime-time documentarites,
original drama, arts and current affairs programmes across all the
BBC’s TV and radio channels.
The BBC will continue to receive its £2.8 bilion
annual licence fee for the next ten years but on condition it honours
its mission statement to inform, educate and entertain.
annual licence fee for the next ten years but on condition it honours
its mission statement to inform, educate and entertain.
As expected the BBC’s board of governors is to be
scrapped and replaced by a panel of independent trustees to oversee the
corporation and a new executive board to deliver the BBC’s services.
scrapped and replaced by a panel of independent trustees to oversee the
corporation and a new executive board to deliver the BBC’s services.
Jowell made clear the Government is looking to
the BBC to implement the recommendations of Ronald Neil, former
director of BBC News and Current Affairs, who reviewed editorial
standards following the Hutton Repport.
the BBC to implement the recommendations of Ronald Neil, former
director of BBC News and Current Affairs, who reviewed editorial
standards following the Hutton Repport.
The Neil report set out journalistic standards
for truth and accuracy, serving the public interest, impartiality and
diversity of opinion, independence and accountability.
for truth and accuracy, serving the public interest, impartiality and
diversity of opinion, independence and accountability.
It also recommended a college of journalism to help train
journalists in defining and applying journalistic standards.
journalists in defining and applying journalistic standards.
The Green Paper said: “The BBC should continue to inform the
public and increase our understanding of the world through news,
information and analysis of current events and ideas. Its news and
current affairs coverage should set standards of quality and should be
resourced accordingly.”
public and increase our understanding of the world through news,
information and analysis of current events and ideas. Its news and
current affairs coverage should set standards of quality and should be
resourced accordingly.”
Content from our partners
Related
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
