Informed 03


Ireland are a source of real concern. It’s a threat that is not confined to these isles. Boris Johnson and his advisors appear to be on a mission against the BBC. The undermining of public service broadcasting would have major consequences for democracy in the UK. During the election campaign Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, warned against what she termed “flagrant bullying rhetoric” targeted at the BBC and Channel 4 and her worse fears have been confirmed. The plan to decriminalise the non-


payment of the licence fee is a vindictive act devoid of principle. In Ireland RTÉ faces a financial crisis


after years of political cowardice by politicians unwilling to risk unpopularity by increasing the licence fee and reforming the archaic collection system. Before the General Election the outgoing government appointed a chair of a new Commission on the Future of Public Service Broadcasting but neglected to appoint any members. At the time of going to print the RTÉ


Trade Union Group is engaged in talks with management on a cost reduction programme which can only succeed if it is part of a reorganisation plan with increased state funding. Privately-owned broadcasters are


lobbying against the public funded because they have been hit hard by digital giants hoovering up advertising and moving discourse to the wild west of social media. Catherine Tait, chief executive of Canada’s national public broadcaster, also under review, told the FT: “Something worrisome is afoot... how do we secure a safe public space for civil civic exchange and a place for fact-based argument, for science, for enlightenment?” The need for public interest journalism has never been greater. The protection of public service broadcasting is fundamental to a vibrant, independent media.


Plenty to talk about at DM. See you in Southport!


Diary


TV detectives Spark up the TV detector van. Speaking at a Tortoise think-in, run by the slow-news organisation and hosted by its founder, former director of BBC News James Harding, Amber Rudd, the ex-Home Secretary was discussing the future of the BBC licence, saying she doubted her two children in their 20s paid it. Tis led to Ed Vaizey, former culture minister recalling John Whitingdale, newly appointed back at the DCMS as minister for media and data, dobbing in his son for illegally downloading films in Parliament. John, he said, should not be seen as an anti-BBC ogre, rather he has been put in by Downing Street to calm the Tory atack dogs. He said Whitingdale may not be a cheerleader for the public service broadcaster, but he wasn’t idiotic.


Look east Sally Chidzoy, Cambridge branch’s new chair surely has a claim to be our most journalistically decorated lay official? For 30 years Chidzoy was the doyenne of the BBC’s East Anglian television news, during which time she scooped a cabinet full of reporting gongs, including a Royal Television Society award. Her arrival at Cambridge branch is timely – long-time stalwart Keith Murray has stepped aside to concentrate on his new job. Toasting the regime change, more than 50 turned up for a Christmas bash – a record turnout.


Sparks might fly Hair-shirt trade unionists tut disapprovingly at second home ownership – but occasionally a warm-weather retreat can be deployed for progressive purpose. National Executive member Gerry Curran


treated himself recently to a bolthole in Greece. As a result, he was able to advise his fellow NEC members on the ingenious solution to television licensing pioneered in the birthplace of democracy. Each household’s contribution to the state broadcaster is simply added to their electricity bill. Disconnection discourages non- payment. Curran, an unashamed ‘Continental’, argued that the future of BBC and RTÉ might be every bit as sunny as his holidays, were they to adopt a similar scheme.


Skye’s the limit Farewell Ian McCormack who has retired from the editorship of the West Highland Free press aſter 44 years in the chair. An NUJ life member, he is thought to be the longest serving newspaper editor of the modern era.


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