BBC will 'remain fiercely independent' following charter review, Lisa Nandy says
The BBC will remain “fiercely independent” and be “genuinely accountable” following the charter review process, the Culture Secretary has said.
Lisa Nandy addressed the House of Commons last night following the Donald Trump scandal which saw director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness resign.
Mr Davie quit on Sunday amid a scandal over the editing of a speech by Mr Trump, which has prompted the US president to threaten billion-dollar legal action.
Ms Nandy told MPs: “The BBC is facing challenges, some of its own making, but it is doing so in the context of a revolution in the media landscape that has challenged all broadcasters, and polarised and fragmented and polarised our national debate.
“It is time to grip this with a clarity of vision and purpose that secures the BBC’s future.”
The Culture Secretary told MPs questioning the corporation’s future should “consider just what is at stake”.
“There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this House launching a sustained attack against the institution itself.
“The BBC is not just a broadcaster, it is a national institution that belongs to us all.
“It projects British values, creativity and integrity to the world. It underpins our creative industries and has a footprint in our nations and regions that is unmatched by any other.”
The BBC’s charter expires at the end of 2027 and the process of reviewing it is now set to begin with the organisation at the centre of a storm following the resignations of Mr Davie and Deborah Turness, who quit as chief executive of BBC News.
Speaking about the once-in-a-decade process, Ms Nandy said: “We will imminently begin the charter review, which will set the terms of the BBC for the next decade, and through it we will collectively write the next chapter of the BBC’s story.
“Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the public’s trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK.
“In an era in which trust is frayed and truth is contested across our nation, it will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves.”
It comes after outgoing director-general Mr Davie yesterday told BBC staff to “stand up for our journalism”.
In remarks to BBC staff seen by the PA news agency, he said: “We are a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think we’ve got to fight for our journalism.
“I’m really proud of our work, and the amazing work locally, globally, that we’re doing is utterly precious.”
He added: “We have made some mistakes that have cost us, but we need to fight for that.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street declined to comment on the president’s threat to sue the BBC, saying: “This is a matter for the BBC.”
A Number 10 spokesman added: “It’s clearly not for the Government to comment on any ongoing legal matters.”
Sir Keir Starmer has not spoken to Mr Trump about his threatened legal action, Downing Street indicated.