Should the BBC be defunded?

fancythat

Is all this true?

I dont know what to believe any more.
Are all their articles, going back I dont know how long, true?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55640437

It is far more likely that those who did the "editing" of the Trump video had been paying attention to all the lies that T and co had been spreading and decided to fight fire with fire.

That is NOT a good idea - when you lose the moral high ground you can never get it back - but when it seems impossible to counter someone who has no compunction about churning out vast amounts of false news it would be understandable to try the "when you can't beat 'em, join 'em (or copy their tactics, anyway)"

No.

Definitely no to defunding! If you don't know who owns most of the media that people seem to think is better than the BBC, IMO you need to do a bit of homework. Does News Corp, the Rothermere's, hedge funds and investment companies really care about the British public being honestly and reliably informed? Absolutely not, all they care about is making money or supporting the political stance of the owners. The BBC, isn't perfect but it's a million times better than most media because it doesn't feed people what they want to hear which is why it ruffles feathers. I'm disappointed with this poor and dishonest editing of Trump's speeches on Jan 6th, it's not what I expect of the BBC nor was it necessary to make the point that Trump encouraged insurrection. However, the blatant lies, misinformation and bias of most other media is exactly what I expect and get!

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I read the two resignation letters last night, and was horrified that they were completely unrepentent. Davie simply said that he had done 20 years and was moving on. Turness said very little except to praise the BBC staff. They just don't seem to understand that there is a problem. 🤷‍♀️

Very little will change then.

They are resigning over this issue. They are taking responsibility for decisions that were made at a lower pay-grade.
Good for them, but I do worry that the post of D-G BBC is becoming a bit like England football manager 15 years ago - we couldn't get anyone any good because of all the vilification & no manager with star-quality wanted to put their head above the parapet.
NO to BBC defunding.

Average: The average salary for a Television Presenter in the UK is estimated to be around £33,748, but this can vary by role and experience.
Reporters: An average salary for a reporter at a broadcaster like ITV is approximately £31,929, with some high earners reaching over £51,000.
High-earning presenters

Galaxy

There is an irony though that the BBC has managed to antagonise Trump, left-wing feminists and lgb groups. It is quite an achievement.

There are quite a lot of people who don't belong to any of those groups.

Can you provide evidence that the BBC pays employees more than other channels do please Lyndie?

The BBC salaries are ridiculously high. There are too many scandals. Gary Lineker has left the BBC. Nobody cares. He was earning a fortune this means there isn't much churn in staff. You see presenters go from Young 20 somethings to 60 somethings. They couldn't earn the salaries anywhere else. I think this makes a culture of fear for their lifestyles. Noone rocking the boat. So turning a blind eye to bad behaviour and going along with other people's agendas. Just my opinion. Reform say they want to keep the BBC as said yesterday. So many on here are not accurate with their narrative. They imagine what people are thinking who they don't know. It's a yes from me but after a long look at what's going on.

But when it does mess up, it does it big time.

Agree with whoever said Be careful what you wish for.
All broadcasters and other media make mistakes but the BBC far fewer than most. In a national emergency I'd turn to BBC News every time.

If we didn't have the BBC, for just the cost of a TV licence, how much would we have to pay commercial companies for the same variety and quality of services?

Me too, Allsorts.

I love the BBC, long may it continue.

MayBee70

Can’t help but feel this is part of a Trump plan to take over this country along with our health service.

... it seems like a concerted attack to control the political narrative anyway. Musk has been doing the same - using melodramatic and highly exaggerated descriptions of life in the UK, and especially England.

But, the BBC were remiss - really, really remiss.

One thing I've learned, and am still learning, is that if you are going to argue with, or attack your opponent, you have got to stick to the facts, the truth, and not twist or embellish it - even if it doesn't quite support your argument - even if your opponent is manipulating the truth. Both Trump and Musk do this, but we shouldn't.

Ultimately, I think the BBC will be defunded - certainly if Reform or the Tories get into, or back into, power. But the BBC isn't just about the news - it has a diverse array of other programmes.

Who can forget some of the major drama series in the 70s and 80s; All Creatures Great and Small, Yes, Minister, and the epic Jewel in The Crown, The Singing Detective, etc?

I'm always puzzled by the Left insisting the BBC is too Right Wing, and the Right, insisting it's the polar opposite. I don't know what this means - perhaps it means that it's, mostly, getting the balance right... or, perhaps it's more a reflection of "idée fixe" of the general population.

When we lived in Norway, we subscribed to limited-content BBC and two of our neighbours used to come and watch with us because they were so impressed with it (most Norwegians speak English). And the lady who did my cleaning, used to bring her 4 year old daughter to watch the children's programmes, as an alternative to the diet of American cartoons offered on other channels.

To be fair I could probably cope with Trump tagging along, as has been shown the feminists take no prisoners, he would be relegated to a minor role in our world domination.

Galaxy

Strangely enough I wasn't serious.

😂 of course you weren’t, the very thought, haha.

There is an irony though that the BBC has managed to antagonise Trump, left-wing feminists and lgb groups. It is quite an achievement.

Galaxy

Strangely enough I wasn't serious.

Phew! I was worried .

Rosie51

I don't want the BBC defunded but I do want them made accountable, unbiased, truthful and transparent. However just because you enjoy BBC output MayBee70 and think it good value doesn't mean it's good value and enjoyable for everybody else who also has to pay a licence fee. I hardly watch any TV, recording what little I do watch for viewing at a more convenient time. Most of what I record isn't BBC so I don't get value for money.
Comparing the BBC to a Sky subscription is pointless, nobody is forced to pay for Sky and those that choose to probably think it's worth it. My son stopped his Sky subscription because it failed to be good value for him anymore.

It's not pointless to compare Sky with a TV licence. Compare what you actually receive. I don't have Sky, but I do have a TV licence.

I hardly ever watch live TV, but I do listen to the radio and I watch programmes on BBC iplayer. It's well worth just over £3 a week. Most people make much better use of it than I do, so it's even better value.

There is no way Sky could ever be better value for me. I could choose not to use radio or iplayer, but I would seriously miss them - I wouldn't miss Sky or any of the other services.

Strangely enough I wasn't serious.

This isn't just about Trump, there's a report covering bias on many many topics (well, maybe not Bake Off) and more BBC staff are coming forward to raise their concerns.

The BBC is a national treasure. It knocks all other channels into a cocked hat .... and the freedom from ads is a joy.
Be careful what you wish for.

Galaxy

Yes Trump has formed an alliance with the left wing feminists and lgb groups, and as a new strategic partnership once we have the BBC we are planning to take over the world.

Are you actually serious?

(PS. Has this thread turned into some kind of competition for outrageous allegations?)

fancythat

^What would I watch without the BBC?^

A zillion other programmes and sites.

Granted, you would have to pay more I presume.

Exactly! I'd have to pay more - and somebody would be making money out of churning out c**p and/or funded by people with an agenda.

Yes Trump has formed an alliance with the left wing feminists and lgb groups, and as a new strategic partnership once we have the BBC we are planning to take over the world.