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by rickdeckard 2307 days ago
> I wish the UK would just scrap it as an independent license, and just include it as part of the government budget.

This would mean the funding of the BBC would be under direct control of the ruling government, which creates a conflict of interest (no positive coverage -> no money next year).

> Like Norway did last year. Now they have it as part of your income tax.

Norway TV isn't funded by government budget, they just streamlined the calculation and payment process into your income tax procedure. The budget is still dedicated to TV licensing and owned by the broadcaster.

That's a big big BIG difference. In one case only the financial process is optimized, in the other case you turn the broadcaster into a "national propaganda station".

As a citizen, keep an eye on this distinction on every proposal that is made, and speak up against every step the government takes to gain more control over the budget.
1 comments
thu2111 2307 days ago
The idea of arms length funding doesn't make sense. The conflict of interest already exists. The government can and does control the license fee, hence the recent kerfuffle about decriminalisation (many more people just won't pay if there's no consequence to not doing so). Ultimately the BBC is funded by government mandate. What government giveth, government can take away.

Additionally, the BBC has lost the argument that the license fee makes it neutral and independent to the betterment of all. More than half of the British population perceive it as being untrustworthy and biased (in favour of London metro media studies grad type viewpoints). This phenomenon is especially strong amongst the kinds of people who voted Tory for the first time and gave Boris his big majority, so their views are seen as very important.

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2019/1...

YouGov figures show British trust in the press to tell the truth has fallen, with less than half believing BBC news journalists are honest and impartial.

The loss of BBC market share to other services is being raised as a justification for attacking the license fee here, but the ground is filled with kindling. Both the Tories and Labour see the BBC as ideologically opposed to them now.

link