The BBC must go

The BBC must go

06 Nov 2003

The panel debate the motion 'The BBC must go'.

Arguing in favour of the motion are Gerald Kaufman, Professor Brian Winston, and Kelvin MacKenzie.

Gerald Kaufman begins by describing how the BBC was regarded, and the influence it had, in the 1990, outlines its decline, queries if tax payers fund the BBC, and asks: would they if they had the choice?

Professor Brian Winston explains what, for him, is the crux of the matter: ‘this is not about quality programming,... It’s about integrity, and independence. It’s about the integrity of politicians and the independence of broadcasters’.

Kelvin MacKenzie turns to the economics of the BBC, explaining how it is a blight on capitalist enterprise. Quite simply, Mackenzie believes that it is ‘simply not right to tax people to watch television’.

Arguing against the motion are Rod Liddle, Heather Rabbatts, and Kelvin Mackenzie.

Rod Liddle points out that the BBC has always had its enemies, particularly on the political right - those who regard the BBC as a group of ‘Buggerers, Bastards and Communists’. Liddle believes that the authoritative government of 2003 does not appreciate the independence that the BBC holds.

Heather Rabbatts undermines her opposition by stating that the public and commercial sectors are not dichotomous, but interdependent. Together, and in competition, they create a broad and rich broadcasting landscape and together they must be regulated and maintained.

Michael Grade explains that, by setting a standard of quality and originality, the BBC prevents commercial ventures from dumbing down television and allows for healthy economic and creative competition.