Decision over BBC licence fee must not be taken lightly - The Yorkshire Post says

Consumers today have a huge amount of choice over where they go to watch television, listen to the radio and access news and information, with a wide range of commercial and subscription services available.
Dame Esther Rantzen, who has said privatising the BBC would harm people suffering from loneliness. Photo: Ian West/PA WireDame Esther Rantzen, who has said privatising the BBC would harm people suffering from loneliness. Photo: Ian West/PA Wire
Dame Esther Rantzen, who has said privatising the BBC would harm people suffering from loneliness. Photo: Ian West/PA Wire

And during his general election campaign Prime Minister Boris Johnson questioned whether public funding for the BBC, requiring people to pay a fee for the broadcaster’s production, remained justifiable, given the way that other media organisations manage to fund themselves.

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Now Downing Street is considering replacing the TV licence fee with a subscription model, though Mr Johnson is reportedly favouring “reform over revolution”.

Should the BBC licence fee be replaced with a subscription model? Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty ImagesShould the BBC licence fee be replaced with a subscription model? Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Should the BBC licence fee be replaced with a subscription model? Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Whilst there are many things the BBC could improve on, scrapping the licence fee would undoubtedly have wide-reaching ramifications, not least in terms of the scale of the broadcaster’s output.

The managing director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra says any resulting threat to the role of the BBC in the arts, as “a provider of culture”, would be a concern.

And TV presenter Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of The Silver Line charity which is designed to combat loneliness among older people, says privatising the BBC would isolate vulnerable people and harm those who feel lonely.

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Both raise valid points, and, like all reasons in favour of keeping – and of abolishing – the fee, these must be given the due and careful consideration they deserve.

The licence fee is a complex matter and given the potential consequences, any decision on its future should not be taken lightly.