Thursday 1 December 2011

The Leveson Inquiry and BBC cuts to local TV / Radio

A great cartoon courtesy of the great Matt
Two themes for today: Matt's cartoon combines the amazing BBC Frozen Planet Series but also the degree to which the press intrudes into peoples lives: today parliament is debating BBC budgets. Every day the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking takes place in the High Court in London - with ever more revelations of lives turned over by the tabloids: whether it is the McCanns or the Dowler family, it is clear that reform is going to to come at the end of this inquiry.
However, the BBC is attempting to cut local radio and local TV. This is manifestly wrong when they are spending a fortune on some national TV content. Do not get me started on the £17 million paid to Jonathan Ross or the salary of BBC Director General which is around £779,000, plus expenses. This is about 5 times the PMs salary and the General of all our armed forces.
I am going to try and speak in todays debate but may struggle to get in: you still have the chance to influence the BBC - write to them at Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, W1A 1AA. Write in to the BBC and have your say!
You can still stand up for Local BBC Radio and Local BBC TV as opposed to overpaid stars or BBC4, which few people watch...