The BBC is facing multiple pressures to change its structure and even its funding, but what about its editorial values? In the latest #PolisSummer School guest post, Leonor Gomes responds to a talk by BBC Academy editor Matthew Eltringham.
The BBC is funded by a licence fee, which essentially means funds are provided by the audience itself. This has helped fund an exponential growth in audience involvement, but is also supposed to reassure viewers that their interests are being taken into account. But what is the audience really getting out of all is?
Take for example shows such as BBC’s Sherlock, Top Gear, and Doctor Who. They are recognized worldwide, and are a product of extensive information gathering and research. The people want these shows, and the BBC provides them. A sufficiently simple business model which yields positive results.
Another reason for the BBC’s success is perhaps their commitment to excellence. Gaining the trust of the audience, according to Matthew Eltringham, is a key factor. The BBC’s head of news, James Harding, believes that the reporting done at the network is “rooted in a set of values”, and that there should be “as many voices as possible.”
The numbers don’t lie. According to Eltringham, the average hours spent listening to BBC broadcasts per week, per person, add up to 9.4. About 25 million people watch at least one BBC news bulletin per week. 73% of 16-34 year olds listen to or view BBC news content each week. In a time where most networks are struggling to keep up, the BBC seems to be doing all the right things, including a growing number of users who use the network’s online platform.
With key concepts such as independence, accuracy, and impartiality in their tool arsenal, the BBC continues to report news and produce shows which are appreciated by a wide range of the population. Whether or not their model for success will last much longer remains to be seen.
As the main investors, perhaps the viewers should have control over what the network produces. In a world where media seems to change and evolve every day, this may be the answer to the problem of keeping up with new techniques and technology. Let the audience take control, and in that way ensure that the news and shows being produced are ones that people actually want to see.
This article by Polis Summer School student Leonor Gomes
Charlie, your question suggests that the public is getting what it wants.
Can I suggest that the BBC should do more to harness the voices of the public – instead of following the line of government – its paymasters!!
Is the BBC impartial in its news coverage? NO!
Isn’t the BBCs failure, its lack of engagement with real people, reflecting real failings, real challenges, and success stories of our diverse communities too? Surely, this great opportunity to ‘harness the voices’ or diversity in our communities cannot rest on the shoulder of Question Time on Thursday night?
Finally, haven’t you noticed that the BBC recently hired an ex-Sky News senior to make changes to its programming. The result is, BBC news now looks like Sky News… in every way!!
Isn’t the BBC meant to be leading – not following?
With the BBC London news programme starting to look like national news coverage, we have to get concerned. Deeply concerned!
Like politicians, it seems like the BBC has a policy of not doing all that is necessary to harness the voices in our local communities – where challenges exist amid political failings. Thus, how on earth can we trust the BBC to change in favour of developing diversity in its news stories… amid the obvious failings in government policies? Doesn’t this ‘conflict of interest’ mean that the BBC put government first, and the public… last?!!