Is this the beginning of the end of the BBC?

[Rollo]

I definately have "a problem with leftie papers promoting their idols", namely because in Australia, there aren't any.
For the whole of Australia, the only two groups of major circulating newspapers are Fairfax Ltd, and News Corporation. That's it.

I agree wholeheartedly with the freedom of the press, but when all other voices are eventually snuffed out entirely, how truly free is it?

[Garry Walker]

I agree wholeheartedly with the freedom of the press, but when all other voices are eventually snuffed out entirely, how truly free is it?

You know how people opposed to obama felt then.

[Rollo]

Did FOX News, the New York Post and The Wall Street Journal decide to close down?

[Dave B]

While I fear for the future of the BBC under this government I'm more concerned about the increasing influence of the Murdoch media empire, not just in the UK but worldwide. Increasingly news has become confused with opinion. Murdoch is pushing a particular view via his "news" outlets and with his increasing dominance in broadcasting comes increased influence and ability to shape and direct opinions. When the Murdoch view coincides with political power we should all be concerned.

Our joke of a Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has "declared war on Murdoch" according to leaked reports from the Telegraph today. (Guardian; Telegraph)

On the face of it, this is good news as it's likely to mean the deal for him to take full control of BSkyB is dead in the water. However with this revelation coming hot on the heels of Cable's criticism of key Conservative policy, it's far more likely that he'll be kicked into the long grass and replaced with someone who'll rubber-stamp the deal.

[Edit, in genuine "you couldn't make it up" news, Sky News reported that Cable had already resigned. Trouble was, it wasn't true - they were duped by a fake Twitter account. Quality journalism at its best.... ]

Look forward to the UK's version of Fox News (Fair and Balanced my foot) anytime soon.

[Dave B]

PS: The irony of a satellite broadcaster being attacked by someone called Cable hasn't escaped me...

[Eki]

Week ago, my cable TV operator made previously free BBC World Service a part of a pay TV plan. I'm very disappointed, but if they think I'm going to pay, they are sadly mistaken. I didn't pay for live Formula 1, and I'm not going to pay BBC World Service.

[Mark in Oshawa]

The thing that makes the BBC great is that it has succeeded to be relvent where most public broadcasters are not. That said, commericial sponsors and having some sponsorship of broadcasts could supplement what the BBC does. Ya...commercials helping subsidize the BBC. It is how the CBC in Canada does business. Hockey Night in Canada and some of their more popular shows subsidize the rest of the programming lineup. While the Fed's here give them money, the fact is, it has only subsidized the bloated bureaucracy that does NOTHING to create better and more relevant TV.

In the case of the BBC, I have no idea if there is waste or not, but the idea that people PAY a license fee to keep it alive in the modern era is rather quaintly socialist and old fashioned. Let the BBC put out some broadcasts and get commercial ad money for them and then take less from the government. Novel eh? Capitalism...it works...what a thought!

[Bolton Midnight]

Serves them right for being so cosy with Labour.

Question Time with its hand picked lefty audience, BBC News not attacking Labour over its incompetence over the last 13 years.

Ch4 news is far more neutral.

In these hard times we all need to tighten our belts and that should include the public sector regardless of how they feel they are exempt for some unfathomable reason - welcome to the real world.

[MrMetro]

Serves them right for being so cosy with Labour.

Question Time with its hand picked lefty audience, BBC News not attacking Labour over its incompetence over the last 13 years.

Ch4 news is far more neutral.

In these hard times we all need to tighten our belts and that should include the public sector regardless of how they feel they are exempt for some unfathomable reason - welcome to the real world.

I find it funny that you criticise Labour, yet since Blair took control, Labour have had more in common with the Torys than the original Labour Party

[ArrowsFA1]

Serves them right for being so cosy with Labour.

A familiar refrain from the government, and it's good that, regardless of which party is in power, accusations of bias are frequently heard. If they weren't then the BBC wouldn't be doing its job properly.

If the Tories have their way then the BBC is eventually likely to be weakened, broken up, and sold off so that their chum Rupert can step in and influence the media in any way he seems fit.