“Does the BBC really need six million more enemies at this time, six million more people who think BBC self-regulation has failed, and the licence fee is no longer justifiable?” asks the author of this surprising Thought for Today.
They seem to think they do. They seem really quite proud of Popetown.
Just in case anyone misses the point: I support freedom of speech for the vilest messages, for stuff far worse than this tawdry effort. My objection is to being forced to pay for rubbish like this, to having it go out under my country’s name, and to being constantly told I should be proud of it.
I also object to blatant double standards. Quoting Clifford Longley’s Thought for the Day again:
We can surely all agree that the BBC would be too ashamed to carry a programme that ridiculed Jewish leaders like this, and too scared to ridicule Muslim leaders.
But supercilious metropolitan attitudes regard Catholics as fair game, and ridicule as an appropriate weapon to spread ill-feeling against them.
Perhaps now would be a good time to re-read the BBC’s statement of values:
The BBC exists to enrich people’s lives with great programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain. Its vision is to be the most creative, trusted organisation in the world.
It provides a wide range of distinctive programmes and services for everyone, free of commercial interests and political bias. They include television, radio, national, local, childrens’, educational, language and other services for key interest groups.
BBC services are hugely popular and used by over 90% of the UK population every week. The BBC also runs orchestras, actively develops new talent and supports training and production skills for the British broadcasting, music, drama and film industries.
The BBC is financed by a TV licence paid by households. It does not have to serve the interests of advertisers, or produce a return for shareholders. This means it can concentrate on providing high quality programmes and services for everyone, many of which would not otherwise be supported by subscription or advertising.
BBC values
The BBC has signed up to these values:
- Trust is the foundation of the BBC: we are independent, impartial and honest
- Audiences are at the heart of everything we do
- We take pride in delivering quality and value for money
- Creativity is the lifeblood of our organisation
- We respect each other and celebrate our diversity so that everyone can give their best
- We are one BBC: great things happen when we work together
Twelve Governors regulate the BBC, upholding standards and defending it from political and commercial pressures. They set its objectives and report on its performance in their Annual Report to licence payers and Parliament.
Anyone know if the line about “Trust is the foundation of the BBC” was put in pre- or post- Mr Gilligan’s little early morning escapade? And anyone know the music to “We are one BBC: great things happen when we work together”? What is it, some remix of something the New Seekers did in 1972?
UPDATE: Reader Alan comments:
“Or for that matter would we ever see a cartoon about the BBC? “…A satirical and bizarre take on the world of personal politics, sex and fame set in a fictional version of one of the most revered and mysterious corporations in the world…”