The Tories And The BBC

There have been rumblings in recent weeks that Cameron, if elected, is set to do something, though it's not clear what, about the BBC. The Mirror jerked their scaremongering ruby red knee to a piece by Dan Hannan as proof positive that it is to be scrapped if the Tories win power, but then when has Cameron ever listened to Hannan?

If, however, there is to be some sort of move against Maiden Auntie Beeb by the Tories, there shouldn't really be much rational complaint. But then, as Hannan continually illustrates, the British do have a tendency to hang on to inefficient 'institutions' even when they are well past their prime.

Funding any broadcaster via a licence fee is hopelessly outdated and has been since we advanced beyond three TV channels and strictly controlled airwaves. What's more, in some cases, the BBC itself is stifled by the burden of internal regulation not expected of its competitors.

Content

There is no longer, for example, any need for content guidelines for the public good. The BBC, as I understand it, is supposed to offer a wide range of programming to reflect all tastes while adhering to guidelines on quality. There must be a quota of educational output, a certain amount of news and, of course, shows which reflect cultural diversity.

However, any of the above, which government at one time (a long time ago) decided we should be offered, is both easily avoided now we have hundreds of channels, whilst simultaneously readily available if that is truly what we wish to watch.

You want to watch wildlife? There are entire weeks of sharks on Discovery. You don't want to see animals at all? Just glue yourself to MTV all day. You want news? There are a dozen channels. You hate news? Well, the BBC being forced to show it isn't going to make you more aware of your surroundings while Dave is pumping out wall to wall sitcoms. Ethnic programming? Tons of it around now, the BBC is one of many. If you like it, you'll find it.

And since freeview, all that the Beeb offer is now available without subscription. The analogue switch off renders my argument even more valid.

Radio

We're way past the days where the BBC offered anything particularly notable to justify a fee on every one of us. Once pirate radio stations began gaining acceptance and their own licencing, the BBC were in a free market (or should have been) for music, and Radio 1 competes with an unfair national advantage. In London, LBC were for a long time a better news source than the BBC but had to find their own funding via advertisers which Radio 4 didn't need to do. The advent of Radio 5 just made the disparity even more unfair.

There may well be an argument to be made for the world service, but how many ex-pats pay a licence fee?

Impartiality

There is supposedly a requirement for impartiality ... yeah, if you say so. If the higher echelons of the BBC truly believe that they are fulfilling their obligation in that regard, then it must be pretty shoddy journalism which results in daily outpourings of execrable guff.

Quality

Does the BBC do anything substantially better than Channel 4? Both beholden to quality standards, yet Channel 4 does it without the need for a licence fee. See, it can be done.

Shackled

The biggest downside to an institution which relies on a universal flat fee is that of interference. Andrew Gilligan and Jonathan Ross loom large. Much of what I have previously mentioned can be swept away at whim of government, as evidence by Gilligan, and ingenuity can be stifled as shown with the fallout after the Jonathan Ross affair. Where other channels are able to defend themselves, the BBC is forced to curl up in a ball when challenged, and ultimately the result is always that output is compromised. BBC internal rules are now so convoluted and restrictive that I'd be surprised if Mark Thompson feels relaxed enough to fart in his own office.

Continuity

And what if the licence fee is scrapped? Would EastEnders die tomorrow? Quite the contrary as, shorn of a guaranteed income stream, it would need to uphold high standards to remain a BBC production. Viewing figures like that would attract envious eyes and offers of increased investment. Would quality suffer? Not really, there would still be obligations as imposed on Channel 4, it's just that we wouldn't be asked to pay for it. Would impartiality be prejudiced? It would be nice if there was some to start with.

Most importantly, would the BBC become better? I think it would. More streamlined, more in tune with the public mood, whilst less lackadaisical and wasteful, as would be required if it was forced to compete on an equal footing with other broadcasters.

The BBC is always going to be a potent brand and, divorced from the straitjacket of the fee, can be even more of a force. It might even be able to buy some decent sport once in a while.

If rumours are correct, it would be eminently sensible for the Tories to look seriously at scrapping the licence fee. It would mean a £140 pre-election gift to all but a few households in the country, but is Cameron brave enough to take on the challenge?

Yes, I see the flaw now.